Christian Horner addresses Max Verstappen exit 'noise'

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has addressed the “noise” that exists around Max Verstappen's future with the team.

Verstappen has been linked with an exit from the squad in recent months amid its declining form and a series of senior-level departures from the squad.

The four-time F1 champion has been touted as a contender for a drive at Aston Martin, where former Red Bull technical chief Adrian Newey is overseeing the construction of the 2026 car being built under a new set of technical regulations.

Mercedes has also been rumoured as a destination for Verstappen, however, team boss Toto Wolff has hinted at wanting to retain its current line-up into next year.

While acknowledging there has been “noise” about Verstappen's future, Horner highlighted it has all come outside of the Red Bull camp.

“There’s been a lot of noise… the noise has been out there and not in here,” Horner told media including RacingNews365.

“Max has been working very hard with the team. He’s stated again that his focus is here.

“He’s working incredibly hard on this, together collectively with the rest of the team.”

Verstappen currently sits third in the drivers' championship after five rounds, securing a win and a further two podiums.

The 27-year-old is in a title squabble with McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, despite Red Bull evidently lacking pace compared to the championship leaders.

Horner, however, is confident everything remains open in the race for the title.

“We’re a team,” he stated. “We win together and we lose together, that’s the way we operate.

“Our focus is on sorting the car out. We had a decent Saturday and Sunday [in Saudi Arabia] and everything is still in play.”