Horner Just Spilled the Tea on Max's Red Bull Future (And It's Messier Than You Think)

By Lewis Barnett 5 July, 2025 5 mins read 26 Views

Look, I've been covering F1 for eight years now, and I can smell contract drama from a mile away.

Christian Horner just dropped what might be the most telling quote about Max Verstappen's future at Red Bull, and honestly? It's giving me major 2021 Lewis-to-Ferrari vibes. The Red Bull boss basically admitted that Max has escape clauses in his contract - and with the Dutchman sitting P3 in the standings (61 points behind the leaders), those clauses are looking pretty damn relevant right now.

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The Contract Clause That Changes Everything

Here's where it gets spicy. Verstappen's contract reportedly includes a clause that lets him walk if he's not running P3 or better going into the summer break. Guess what? He's currently P3, trailing McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris after that brutal DNF at Austria when Kimi Antonelli basically turned him into a crash test dummy on lap one.

My paddock sources have been whispering about this clause for months, but Horner's recent comments to Sky Italy basically confirmed it exists. "We know where we stand within the agreement, which will always remain confidential between him and the team," he said. Translation: Yeah, the clause is real, and we're sweating bullets about it.

Mercedes Is Lurking (Obviously)

The Mercedes rumors won't die, and for good reason. George Russell is out of contract at the end of the season, sitting just nine points behind Max in the standings. When pressed about Verstappen's future, Horner did that classic deflection move: "Is it clear George Russell will 100 per cent be at Mercedes next year?"

Smooth, Christian. Real smooth.

I texted my Mercedes contact about this last week, and their response was basically a shrug emoji. But here's the thing - Toto Wolff has been unusually quiet about Russell's contract extension. That's... interesting.

What "100 Per Cent" Actually Means (Spoiler: Nothing)

Horner's exact words were: "If things stay as they are, 100 per cent he will be with us next year." But then he immediately backtracked with "It's impossible to say 100 per cent."

God, I love F1 politics.

That contradiction tells you everything you need to know. Red Bull is confident if their performance stays consistent, but they're also realistic about what happens if it doesn't. Max didn't win four championships by accepting mediocrity, and Red Bull knows it.

The Silverstone Reality Check

Despite all the contract drama swirling around him, Max went out and grabbed pole at Silverstone on Saturday. Just over a tenth quicker than Piastri, with Norris, Russell, and Lewis Hamilton rounding out the top five. The guy's mental strength is absolutely ridiculous.

But here's what really caught my attention: his body language in the post-qualifying interview. Usually, Max is pretty relaxed after a pole position. This time? He seemed... focused. Almost like he was proving a point.

Look, I've seen enough driver moves to know that contract clauses are just the beginning. The real question isn't whether Max can leave Red Bull - it's whether he wants to. And based on their recent performance slide and his increasingly cryptic comments about "focusing on what we can control," I'm starting to think 2025 might be more interesting than anyone expected.

Poor George Russell might want to start updating his LinkedIn profile, just in case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the cost of Formula 1 teams' pit stop equipment?

The equipment employed by a Formula 1 team during a pit stop is a key factor in the competitive strategy and can be extraordinarily costly. For example, wheel guns, jacks, or communication systems that are high-tech can cost anywhere from $100,000 up to $500,000 in order to achieve precision and speed at pit stops.

How much is it to build a Formula 1 Car?

Costs to build a Formula 1 vehicle can vary greatly. Teams are known to spend between $10 and $15 million for a single chassis. The total cost, including components and technology, could reach up to $400,000,000 when you factor in the research, development and production of several cars during a season.

How much is a Formula 1 Steering Wheel?

A Formula 1 Steering Wheel is a very complex piece. It's packed with dials, displays, and buttons to control car functions. The price of a Formula 1 wheel can vary from $50,000 to $100, due to the bespoke technology and design.

What is Formula 1’s Budget Cap?

Formula 1 has introduced a budget cap to help promote financial sustainability, and to maintain a competitive balance between the teams. The 2021 budget cap is $145 million. It excludes expenses such as driver salaries or marketing. The cap is subject to gradual reduction in the subsequent years.

What are operational costs per Formula 1 season?

Formula 1 teams incur substantial operational costs. These may include travel expenses, logistics, salaries and maintenance. In general, the operational costs of a mid tier team range between $120m and $220m per season. However, leading teams can spend more, up to 400m annually.

What's the price of an F1 engine?

A Formula 1 Engine is one the most sophisticated pieces in the entire sport. Teams may spend $7 to $10 millions on the engine itself, to ensure that they have the latest technology and performance necessary to compete.

Statistics

Racing suits worn by Formula 1 drivers can cost from $2,000 to $5,000, integrating high levels of safety and performance features.
Sponsorship deals are critical in Formula 1, with major title sponsorships sometimes contributing tens of millions of dollars to a team's budget.
A Formula 1 team's pit stop equipment can cost between $100,000 to $500,000 for high precision and speed during the race.
Since the introduction of hybrid power units in 2014, Formula 1 teams have seen a significant increase in costs related to engine development and maintenance.
An advanced Formula 1 steering wheel can cost between $50,000 to $100,000 given its multifunctionality and custom design.
The operational costs for a Formula 1 team per season can range from $120 million to over $400 million, depending on the team's size and aspirations.
Formula 1 teams may spend up to $10 million on the engine alone, due to the high level of technology and performance required.
Wind tunnel testing costs in Formula 1 can be as high as $100,000 per day, which is a critical part of car development.

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How To

How to Effectively Use Wind Tunnel Time for Formula 1

To make the most of Formula 1's wind tunnel sessions, it is important to have clear goals for each session. Design models with precision, as tunnel time is expensive and regulated. You can use computational fluid dynamic (CFD), which predicts airflow patterns, to guide your modifications of the model before testing in a wind tunnel. Work with aerodynamics experts and engineers to determine the priority of testing specific components and configurations. Finally, systematically analyze data and apply findings to full-scale car design and on-track testing for verification.