Verstappen says Red Bull feels less stressful after Horner exit
NXTbets Pro | Published On: October 8, 2026
Verstappen on Red Bull
Max Verstappen said life at Red Bull feels less stressful since Christian Horner left, and he prefers a workplace where people get along. The four-time world champion said the constant tension inside a team built to win races is not good and only adds unnecessary strain. He also said Red Bull’s current situation is “not as spicy,” and he believes cutting stress from the environment helps the team. Those comments offer a clear window into how Verstappen sees the atmosphere inside the organization after a leadership change that ended Horner’s long run in charge.
Horner was removed as Red Bull’s team principal and CEO after the 2025 British Grand Prix, closing a 20-year stretch at the top of the team. Laurent Mekies took over after Horner left. Verstappen did not dismiss Horner’s impact. He said Horner did a good job at Red Bull and added that Horner could return to the paddock if the right opportunity comes up. Verstappen’s own career has been closely tied to the team. He won all four of his world championships with Red Bull while Horner was team principal, and he described the team as a second family.
Horner’s Red Bull Exit
The change in leadership marks a shift for a team that spent years with Horner in charge. His comments also underline how much the dynamic inside a team can matter. The pursuit of victories brings pressure by design, but Verstappen made it clear that he sees internal friction as a drain rather than a benefit.
He did not frame the departure as a loss or a rupture. Instead, he treated it as a move that changed the mood around the team. Mekies now leads Red Bull after Horner’s departure, while Verstappen continues with the team. His comments indicate that the changed atmosphere matters to him as Red Bull adjusts to a new leader.
Verstappen’s Future
Verstappen also spoke about what comes next for him, and he kept the focus on winning. He said he is interested only in victory and has no appetite for a move to Ferrari if it means fighting in the midfield. He wants his career choices to match that goal.
He also addressed the length of his future in Formula 1. Verstappen said his new four-year Red Bull deal keeps him with the team through the end of 2030, but he does not expect to still be racing at Fernando Alonso’s age. He said he wants to spend more time at home and with his children. Verstappen sees Red Bull as the right place for him now, and he values stability, trust and a calmer atmosphere. He left open the possibility that Horner could find his way back into the paddock one day, even as Red Bull moves forward under Mekies and Verstappen stays focused on winning.
