During the Thursday press conference in Monaco, Max Verstappen was captured in a photograph.
Max Verstappen is willing to watch his words when discussing the behind-the-scenes turmoil that had affected Red Bull earlier this season, the three-time World Champion aware that what he says carries weight.
Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull GmbH, faced an internal investigation following an employee’s allegation of inappropriate behavior. However, Horner consistently denied the claims, leading to the dismissal of the investigation.
Max Verstappen: ‘People will pick up little things and it becomes a massive sh*t storm’
The three-time World Champion’s father, former F1 driver Jos Verstappen had gone on the record as saying he was “afraid” Red Bull is “in danger of falling apart” earlier this month after the recent announcement that Adrian Newey will leave the team in early 2025.
Verstappen Jr dismissed any notion of conflict between his father and Horner, although occasional differences in opinions may arise.
However, the off-track drama at Red Bull also raised concerns about Verstappen’s future. Earlier in the season, there were talks surrounding the team principal, and this led to speculation about a potential move to Mercedes. Toto Wolff, eyeing a replacement for Lewis Hamilton next year, had his sights on Verstappen.
Although the speculation seems to have subsided, especially since the Dutchman is already committed to Red Bull until 2028, he clarified his preference for concentrating solely on his professional responsibilities and being cautious with his words.
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“The more I talk about it, the more people have to write,” Verstappen told The Guardian.
When you put your thoughts into writing and create a narrative around it, people tend to notice small details and it can quickly escalate into a chaotic situation. Do you understand what I’m trying to say?
I’m sharing a story that could potentially be translated into Spanish, Dutch, or any other language. However, providing further details about it won’t be beneficial in this situation.
I prefer to avoid having these stories and internal issues within the team.
“We simply need to face it and progress beyond it. My commitment to the team is to fulfill my contractual obligations, which revolve around delivering results. That’s where my concentration lies.”
I don’t consider myself a politician or someone who enjoys engaging in politics. My main focus is on the performance and well-being of the people around me. I prefer to divert my attention from any negative aspects.
After the Monaco Grand Prix, Verstappen holds a 31-point advantage in the World Championship standings. He aims to secure his fourth consecutive title, a feat previously achieved by Sebastian Vettel during his championship-winning streak from 2010 to 2013, making him the second Red Bull driver to accomplish this milestone.
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