Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has made a major statement about Max Verstappen ahead of the 2025 F1 season.
Verstappen is the reigning four-time world champion, having secured his latest crown at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November.
Despite the Dutchman's individual success, though, Red Bull finished third in the Constructors' Championship due to the poor form of Sergio Perez. Perez was dropped by Red Bull at the end of the season and replaced by former RB driver Liam Lawson.
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For the first time in several seasons, however, Red Bull are likely to have significant competition for the leading spots at the beginning of 2025, with McLaren and Ferrari having made significant development strides during 2024 and with regulations remaining almost identical for the upcoming season.
Verstappen's current contract at Red Bull expires at the end of 2028, but the Dutchman has previously hinted that he may even decide to quit Formula 1 entirely before that deal is up.
Now, speaking to reporters, Horner has given his verdict on when Verstappen will quit F1 - and his answer may surprise fans.
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He said (quotes via RacingNews365): "Honestly, Max is his own man. And from the conversations I've had, it's clear he doesn't see himself as a Fernando [Alonso] or Lewis [Hamilton] and being around the sport for the next 15 years or so.
"He's got interests outside of Formula 1. He enjoys driving GT cars, he enjoys driving simulators, he enjoys driving LMP cars.
"And there are certain things that he's very old school about in many respects. Some of the noise and circus around Formula 1 doesn't sit comfortably with him, and so as long as he is getting enjoyment out of what he does, he'll do it.
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"As soon as that enjoyment drops, he's got the strength of character and personality to say: 'Do you know what, I'm going to go and drive GTs next year'.
"He's unique in that Formula 1 doesn't define him. He enjoys it and loves it, but as soon as that enjoyment dips, he would go and do something else. We are very grateful that he is our driver, and hopefully that will remain the case for many years to come ... but nobody has a crystal ball."
Topics: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Formula 1
Ryan Smart