Slip of the tongue or deliberate? Verstappen is piling the pressure on Red Bull!

Was this a slip of the tongue from Max Verstappen? If that was the case, it would be quite unique, as the four-time world champion usually doesn't say anything he doesn't want to. So when Verstappen says during a press moment about the consequences of Christian Horner's departure from Red Bull Racing: "I don't think it will matter at all for my decision in the future," then that is at least remarkable.

Verstappen has never before made it so clear that he is considering leaving Red Bull Racing after this season for another team - logically Mercedes. So far, every question about this topic has been skillfully evaded, answered to with the statement that he feels extremely at home with Red Bull.

Indeed, he did that again on Thursday in the crowded Energy Station of Red Bull. But that one sentence, those few words; those were striking. It is purely speculative why he said it, why he showed his doubt about continuing with the team with which he achieved all his successes in F1 now in Belgium.

Was it that aforementioned slip of the tongue? Or did Verstappen want to send a message to the management of Red Bull GmbH and Red Bull Racing: That firing Horner was a step in the right direction for his camp, but that did not meet all of Verstappen's wishes?

For the driver, only one thing is important: to have a car that enables him to compete for the world titles. If Verstappen is not convinced of this, then he can still move to Mercedes.

Without a doubt, this had already been made more than clear to the management of the racing team and the entire group. But by openly talking about a possible departure - albeit very subtly - he is putting the pressure on Red Bull. Now they need to deliver, now they have to prove that Red Bull is the right team for him. If that does not happen sufficiently, then Toto Wolff will welcome him with open arms at Mercedes.