Striking statement by: 'Verstappen stays 100 per cent'

Christian Horner made a bold statement on German television between the first and second free practice sessions for the Japanese Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing team boss said he is certain that Max Verstappen will still be driving for the Austrian formation next year.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Horner said Verstappen was "100 per cent" certain to be driving for Red Bull in 2025. The British team boss's statement can be called striking, given that Verstappen himself has yet to declare a knot about his future at all. Moreover, Helmut Marko did not yet rule out a switch by the triple world champion to another team.

Mercedes is known to be angling for Verstappen's services. The German formation is looking for a replacement for Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen is at the top of its wish list. Toto Wolff hopes to take advantage of the internal turmoil at Red Bull and is trying to entice Verstappen into a move to Brackley. The Dutchman recently expressed great concern that "certain key people" should stay on at Red Bull.

His contract still runs until 2028, but an escape clause would allow the commitment to be torn up after this year already. The exact terms of this are unknown, although whether or not Helmut Marko stays on is likely to play a role. For now, Verstappen himself is focused on what he has been appointed to do: win Grands Prix. In the background, however, the turmoil continues - seemingly - to muddle on.