Max Verstappen has dismissed claims Crimson Bull crew principal Christian Horner may very well be sacked.
Horner, who has overseen Crimson Bull’s F1 crew because it was based in 2005, has confronted a turbulent final 18 months on and off the observe.
Allegations of inappropriate behaviour made towards him in February 2024 by a feminine colleague had been dismissed following an attraction final summer season. Horner denied the accusations all through.
Crimson Bull has seen a number of high-profile figures go away, together with legendary designer Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley.
Sergio Perez misplaced his seat on the finish of 2024 regardless of having a contract for this yr and Liam Lawson lasted solely two races as Verstappen’s team-mate, who’s at the moment Yuki Tsunoda.
Crimson Bull are at the moment third within the Constructors’ Championship and 141 factors adrift of leaders McLaren after six rounds.
Austrian outlet oe24 reported discussions have taken place relating to Horner’s future within the crew as Crimson Bull rejoice their four-hundredth F1 race this weekend in Imola.
“Honestly, I have no idea where they come from, to be honest. Naturally, I don’t really follow a lot of that,” Verstappen informed Sky Italy.
“So, people ask me questions about that, and I’m like, ‘honestly, I really don’t know who even puts that in the world.’
“In fact, I believe naturally, as a crew, we aren’t fully pleased with how we’re performing, however we’re additionally engaged on attempting to be extra aggressive.
“But if you ask everyone this question, I think no one is happy or satisfied with their performance, you always want to be better, you want to perform more. That’s what we’re trying to do. So, for me, these rumours don’t mean anything.”
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Talking on The F1 Present podcast, Martin Brundle debates whether or not Verstappen races Oscar Piastri in a different way to Lando Norris
Crimson Bull have gained six constructors’ and eight drivers’ titles beneath Horner, who’s the longest serving crew principal on the grid.
Verstappen, who’s 32 factors behind Oscar Piastri on this yr’s championship, insists the crew are extra centered on automotive fairly than media experiences.
“We just focus on the performance. Where these rumours come from, I have no idea. I don’t even know how people can come up with those kind of things,” he stated.
“We want to improve the car, and that’s what everyone in the team is focused on. “
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Verstappen was given a 10-second penalty within the Miami Dash for an unsafe launch into the trail of Kimi Antonelli, leading to them each coming collectively within the pits
Crimson Bull ‘continually upgrading’ the automotive
Crimson Bull ran a brand new ground in Miami on Verstappen’s automotive and are anticipated to deliver extra updates, like most different groups, to Imola and the upcoming European races in Monaco and Spain.
The reigning world champion described their Imola improve as “a little step forward” however does “not expect to suddenly close the gap to McLaren”, who completed over half a minute away from the sector in Miami.
“We have been constantly upgrading the car, trying to find little bits of performance,” stated Verstappen.
“This track is not suddenly where the magic happens, but of course we would like to be a little bit faster. At the moment, I don’t know how much that is going to bring us, to be honest.”
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Piastri snatches the lead from Verstappen, adopted by Norris into second after an intense battle on the Miami Grand Prix
Verstappen added “no one was in the same league” as McLaren and identified that their benefit is greater than Crimson Bull’s record-breaking season in 2023 when the Dutchman gained 19 of the 22 races.
“We never had that kind of gap but it is also a bit track specific. At some tracks there’s more thermal degradation than others,” he stated.
“The advantage will not always be that big.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Emilia Romagna GP Schedule
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Look again at among the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
Friday Could 16
8.50am: F3 Follow
10am: F2 Follow
12pm: Emilia Romagna GP Follow One (session begins at 12.30pm)
2pm: F3 Qualifying
2.55pm: F2 Qualifying
3:40pm: Emilia Romagna GP Follow Two (session begins at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 Present
Saturday Could 17
9am: F3 Dash
11:15am: Emilia Romagna GP Follow Three (session begins at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Dash
2.10pm: Emilia Romagna GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: EMILIA ROMAGNA GP QUALIFYING*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday Could 18
7.25am: F3 Function Race
8.55am: F2 Function Race
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Emilia Romagna GP build-up
2pm: The EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Emilia Romagna GP response
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*Additionally reside on Sky Sports activities Predominant Occasion
F1’s European season begins with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
