Max Verstappen has aimed a subtle dig at Red Bull during a discussion about his former F1 team-mate Sergio Perez 's future. The Mexican driver was brutally let go by the team at the end of 2024, after he struggled to remain competitive in the second car alongside Verstappen and finished a lowly eighth in the drivers' standings.

That said exit clause is reported to be that Verstappen can leave the team if he is lower than fourth in the drivers’ championship by the F1 summer break, following the next two races in Belgium and Hungary.

Horner leaves Red Bull with eight Drivers' Championship and six Constructors' Championship trophies under his belt, having overseen one of the greatest dynasties in modern F1 history in the ground effect era. His replacement, Laurent Mekies, has an unenviable task on his hands.