Leaving Red Bull would take something "crazy", says Verstappen
On Wednesday, triple world champion Max Verstappen defended his outspoken father Jos but said it would take something "crazy" for him to leave Red Bull at the end of the season.
Jos, 52, has taken a stance against Red Bull boss Christian Horner, claiming at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix last week that the dominant team would be torn apart if the Briton remained in charge.
The comments came after an independent barrister cleared Horner of misconduct allegations made by a female employee.
Verstappen senior's comments fueled speculation that Verstappen, the star driver, might look elsewhere for the 2025 season.
Mercedes have a vacancy after seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton announced his departure to Ferrari in 2025, surprising many.
"I'm just focusing on the driving bit and I think that is also the most important for the team right now," Verstappen, 26, told reporters in Jeddah ahead of Saturday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when asked if he agreed with his father.
"That's also why we came here and that's our main target and what we want to focus on you know, to not have this stuff going on race after race because that is not good for the team."
When asked if he could see any scenarios in which he might not race for Red Bull next year, the Dutch driver responded: "Things must go really crazy, I guess, but that's not the target for everyone."
Last year, Red Bull won 21 of 22 races with the most dominant car in the sport's history.
Verstappen, who won 19 of them, began the latest season with a 'grand slam' victory, claiming pole position, fastest lap, and every lap led.
Verstappen stated his father, a former Formula One racer who was once a teammate of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, was not a liar and that he had not asked him if he regretted making the explosive comments.
"My dad, from how I know him in go-karting, is very outspoken and he is not a liar, that is for sure," he added. "My dad and I are very close. We call every day."
Verstappen senior is not scheduled to be in Saudi Arabia this weekend.
SportsLigue