Horner uses Dietrich Mateschitz words to prepare for Verstappen's exit

16:15, 04 Jul

Updated: 16:43, 04 Jul

byTobia Elia

Christian Horner spoke about how detrimental it would be for Red Bull if Max Verstappen were to actually leave the team, and how the team would work to compensate for his potential absence.

Although both Max Verstappen and Red Bull intend to continue together in 2026, transfer rumours continue to circulate and fuel media speculation. Even at Silverstone, the home race for the Milton Keynes-based team, Christian Horner was once again questioned about the situation surrounding his star driver.

Responding to a question about how damaging a potential Verstappen departure would be for Red Bull, during the team principals’ press conference, Horner said: ''Max is a key part of our team and has been for pretty much 10 years now.''

''The intention is to keep that going. But one day, whether it's the year after or the year after, there will be a day that there is no more. You always have to have that in mind that the team always has to keep looking and investing in the future.''

''So hopefully that won't be for several years to come, but you never know. So you've always investing in young talent. You're always giving opportunities like we did today with Arvid Lindblad to see the next generation, coming through. Because one thing for sure in this business, nothing stands still''.

''Of course we want that to be with Max but we understand you know the pressure that there is next year with us coming in as a new power unit manufacturer. The challenge of that is enormous but we've got a hugely capable group of people. We've invested significantly, we've got a great you know culture within the team.''

A similar Vettel-effect?

Could a potential Verstappen departure have the same impact as when Vettel left the team at the end of 2013?

''Sebastian left after there was a significant regulation change, you know, obviously 2014, and the engine smashed all of us.'' Horner added

''And he got a dream offer from Ferrari and decided that that was his future path and I remember Dietrich Mateschitz telling me at the time 'you know we don't need the best driver, if we don't have the best car'. At that stage you need the best driver if we don't have the best car.''