Verstappen confirms weekly talks with Horner amid Red Bull future speculation

Max Verstappen confirmed he still speaks with former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner on a near-weekly basis, maintaining a close bond that has survived Horner's dramatic departure from Milton Keynes. The revelation comes amid mounting speculation about the four-time champion's own future with the team.

Why it matters:

The Verstappen-Horner partnership yielded four consecutive world titles and helped establish Red Bull as the grid's dominant force. With Horner now outside the organization and the team struggling to recapture its former edge, their ongoing communication suggests the former boss still carries real influence over the sport's biggest star. It also complicates the narrative of a clean break, hinting that personal loyalty may yet shape decisions in an increasingly volatile driver market.

The details:

• Speaking at Silverstone, Verstappen said he and Horner talk "almost every week" like longtime friends rather than former colleagues.
• Horner returned to the F1 paddock for the first time since his exit following the 2025 British Grand Prix, immediately renewing questions about his next chapter.
• Verstappen's future is clouded by a reported performance clause in his contract, understood to have become relevant after he fell out of championship contention before the 2026 summer break.
• After a difficult British GP weekend that intensified exit rumors, Verstappen refused to clarify his position, stating it would not be "fair" to comment at this stage.

What's next:

Horner's future role in F1 remains undefined, while Red Bull faces mounting pressure to reverse its competitive decline. Verstappen's silence on his contract situation leaves the paddock guessing through the summer break. The coming races could prove decisive in determining whether he commits to Milton Keynes long-term or leverages his options elsewhere, but the weekly contact with Horner suggests the former boss will remain a quiet force in the season's biggest driver decision.