Verstappen says Red Bull is calmer and less stressful since Horner's departure

Max Verstappen has openly praised the shift in mood at Red Bull since Christian Horner left the team, saying the Milton Keynes outfit is now a less stressful place to work. The four-time world champion made the comments to the Press Association ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, following a winning Sunday in Malaysia.

“I like to see that people get on,” Verstappen said when asked about Horner. “It is not nice when you constantly have tension between people. Of course, from the outside, people like it, but honestly between the teams, it is better when you have just a friendly relationship.”

The Dutchman was candid about why a calmer environment suits him professionally. “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.”

Red Bull removed Horner from his role last year following a period of controversy and inconsistent results. Frenchman Laurent Mekies, who had impressed at sister team Racing Bulls, was appointed team principal and CEO in his place. The team has since recorded at least one victory this season, and Verstappen made clear he is comfortable with the direction of travel.

“It is not as spicy, but I obviously quite like how things are going at the moment, with everyone’s behaviour, let’s put it like that.”

Despite his preference for a drama-free paddock, Verstappen stopped short of closing the door on a Horner comeback elsewhere in the sport. Asked whether his former boss could return to Formula 1, he was measured.

“He has shown he did a good job. Of course, people spread a lot of rumours, 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.”

The remarks underline a broader truth about elite sport: the drivers most focused on winning are often the least interested in the off-track storylines that surround them. For Verstappen, fewer distractions at the factory translates directly into a better chance of performing on Sundays.