‘No one is happy’ – Max Verstappen breaks silence after explosive Christian Horner F1 sacking rumours
MAX Verstappen has spoken out against Christian Horner sacking rumours ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Friday.
The Red Bull star, 27, spoke to Sky Italy about his controversial team principal’s status as the team sit 141 points adrift of leaders McLaren.
Horner, Red Bull boss since 2005, has turned heads after ruthlessly dropping Liam Lawson and being involved in a sexting scandal last year.
The longest serving team principal on the grid has been tipped to leave by Austrian outlet oe24 but his star pupil does not share the same view.
Verstappen said: “Honestly I have no idea where [the rumours] come from to be honest.
“So, people ask me questions about that, and I’m like, ‘honestly, I really don’t know who even puts that in the world.'”
That is not to say that everything is great in the team as Red Bull are lagging behind in the Constructors’ Championship in third after six rounds.
Verstappen himself is 32 points behind leader McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in this year’s championship but insisted his focus remains in the car.
The Dutchman said: “No one is happy or satisfied with their performance, you always want to be better, you want to perform more.
“So, for me, these rumours don’t mean anything.”
Red Bull have won six constructors’ and eight drivers’ titles under Horner but are looking to increase that.
Verstappen said: “We want to improve the car, and that’s what everyone in the team is focussed on.”
It’s not just the Red Bull boss who has come under fire but also his driver as Verstappen has been criticised for his incognito practice session ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Practice for the Emilia Romagna GP is on Friday, qualifying on Saturday and the main event is on Sunday.
Sky Sports will stream the event live, alternatively SunSport will live blog the action as it happens.