Max Verstappen admits F1 is ‘less STRESSFUL’ without Christian Horner as sacked Red Bull chief eyes return

MAX VERSTAPPEN claims the F1 paddock is “less stressful” following Christian Horner’s exit. And despite winning all four of his world championship titles with Horner at the Red Bull helm, the Dutch ace hinted things have improved post—Horner, as “it is not nice when you constantly have tension between people”. Horner, 52, was dismissed as Red Bull CEO and team principal in the summer of 2025. But his possible comeback to the sport remains a hot topic after he recently spoke of his “dream” to lead Ferrari. And Verstappen, who claimed his first win of the season at last week’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, said: “People spread a lot of rumours [about Horner’s future] and I don’t know how much of that is true. “I don’t want to sound rude but it is also not my problem or concern. He wants to come back and, if there is a good opportunity, I am sure he will do it — but I don’t know where that is going to be.” READ MORE ON F1 If Horner did come back, it would reignite rivalries with Mercedes chief Toto Wolff and McLaren’s Zak Brown in a paddock once described as a ‘piranha club’. But Verstappen said he has been preferring life with less friction between top teams. He said: “To be honest, I like to see people get on. It is not nice when you constantly have tension between people. “From the outside, people like it but, between teams, it is better when you have just a friendly relationship. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK “It is not as spicy but I quite like how things are going at the moment, with everyone’s behaviour, let’s put it like that. It is less stressful. “We are all leading a stressful life and, when you can take a bit of stress out of it at times, it is good.” Verstappen put aside his disdain for F1’s regulations to sign a new Red Bull deal and commit his future to the sport for another four years. Sunday’s win, the 72nd of his career — which leaves him behind only Lewis Hamilton (106) and Michael Schumacher (91) — arrived days after Fernando Alonso signed a new Aston Martin contract to extend his stay in F1 beyond his 46th birthday. Verstappen, 29, said: “Staying here until then would mean I have dedicated more than half of my life toFormula One, and that is probably a bit too much. “I have extended for a few more years, and then I will look again and say to myself, ‘Can I commit 100 per cent?’ “If not, or there are other fun things around that deserve more time, then maybe I don’t continue. I also want to spend more time at home.” Verstappen spoke with other teams — including McLaren — before re-signing with Red Bull. But when asked if he would ever follow in Schumacher and Hamilton’s slipstream to drive for Italian giants Ferrari, the Dutchman suggested it would take more than just tradition and prestige to lure him there. He explained: “I only want to win. I am not a nostalgic type. Do I have a lot of respect for the Ferrari brand? Absolutely. But if that means you then commit yourself, and you are driving P5 or P6, what’s the point? “I am very performance-driven and I have won a lot with this team already. “It is a second family at Red Bull — and the challenge of rebuilding is what’s driving me.”