Max Verstappen has revealed that his relationship with former team boss Christian Horner remains as strong as ever – despite the dramatic split that ended Horner’s two-decade reign at the Milton Keynes outfit.
As speculation around Verstappen’s own future continues to dominate the Formula 1 paddock, the four-time world champion has admitted that contact with the man who guided him to multiple championships has never stopped.
Horner’s departure after the 2025 British Grand Prix marked the end of one of the most successful partnerships in modern F1 history.
Under his leadership, Red Bull transformed from a midfield project into a championship powerhouse, first with Sebastian Vettel’s title-winning era and later through Verstappen’s unprecedented dominance.
But while Horner’s official role at Red Bull is over, his connection with Verstappen appears far from finished.
Last weekend at Silverstone, Horner returned to the Formula 1 paddock for the first time since leaving Red Bull, immediately reigniting interest about his next move and his ongoing ties within the sport.
Asked about seeing his former boss back at a race weekend, Verstappen revealed that their communication has remained regular despite Horner’s exit.
“I speak to Christian almost every week,” Verstappen told reporters. “I saw him on the camera walking around, but I haven't had time to meet anyone, to be honest. It’s just been busy.”
When asked what he and Horner discuss, Verstappen responded: “Like you do with your friends, or people that you've known for a long time.”
The admission adds another layer of intrigue to an already complicated situation, with Horner’s future still uncertain and Verstappen’s own position at Red Bull continuing to attract attention.
Verstappen’s long-term commitment to Red Bull has been repeatedly questioned amid the team’s recent struggles, particularly after a difficult British Grand Prix weekend that intensified speculation about whether he could seek a move elsewhere.
A key element in the ongoing uncertainty is a reported performance-related clause in Verstappen’s contract, which is understood to have become relevant after the Dutchman fell out of contention for a top-two championship position before the summer break.
However, the existence of such a clause does not automatically mean Verstappen will leave. Red Bull remains the team with which he has achieved his greatest success, and both sides have publicly expressed their desire to continue the partnership.
When pressed on the latest speculation surrounding his future, Verstappen refused to offer any clarity.
“I'm not going to say anything about that. It's not fair to say anything about that, right now,” he said.
For now, the silence only fuels the questions. With Horner still maintaining a close relationship with Verstappen and the driver’s future remaining one of F1’s biggest unanswered questions, the coming months could prove decisive for both the champion and the team that built its modern identity around him.
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