Christian Horner, Principal of Red Bull Racing, has finally addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding Max Verstappen’s future teammate as tension between Max and his father Jos Verstappen continues to stir the rumor mill. The disagreement has come to light with Jos favoring Red Bull’s young talent Liam Lawson to take over Sergio Perez’s seat, while Max remains loyal to his current teammate, backing Perez to stay.

Jos Verstappen (L) has backed Lawson to replace Perez despite the fact that Max says he doesn’t want a new team-mate

In recent weeks, Jos Verstappen made headlines by openly supporting the idea of Lawson replacing Perez. The 52-year-old suggested that a more “competitive” driver could help push his son to even higher performance levels, despite the fact that Max has once again dominated the season. Jos remarked, “I think Lawson is doing very well. It seems logical to me that he is ready to step up.” He further noted that he believes a competitive teammate would be beneficial to Max’s progress, stating, “It’s better if there is someone who pushes Max forward a bit. That always helps.”

In contrast, Max, who is on the verge of securing his fourth consecutive F1 Drivers’ Championship, has voiced his desire for Perez to remain. He emphasized the importance of stability within the team, explaining in an earlier interview with Fox Sports, “I want of course Checo to be my teammate. He’s a great guy, we get on really well, plus he’s a great racer. It’s all about stability and also how we feel in the team.”

Liam Lawson (R) is being tipped to replace Sergio Perez (L) at Red Bull next season

Christian Horner’s latest comments seem to suggest that Red Bull is carefully evaluating their options. Acknowledging the rumors, Horner shared, “We’re aware of the discussions, and there are always considerations to make for the future. What’s important is that we support both Max and Sergio, and any decisions we make will always prioritize the team’s strength and harmony.” Horner also noted that Perez has a contract in place, and that any formal decision on the driver lineup will likely be made after the season ends.

If Red Bull does make a change, Lawson appears to be a strong contender, especially after his fearless attitude in recent races. At the Mexico Grand Prix, tensions between Lawson and Perez escalated when the two clashed on track, leading Lawson to respond boldly. The New Zealander later commented, “I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to win.” Such determination has bolstered his reputation and adds a potential spark to the Red Bull lineup that could further challenge Verstappen’s dominance.

As the F1 season nears its close, all eyes are on Red Bull Racing and what decision lies ahead. With Horner’s diplomatic yet firm stance, it remains to be seen whether the team will lean toward the stability Max desires or embrace the competitive shake-up Jos believes would benefit his son’s career.