Horner unleashes: 'If Wolff wants a Verstappen, he can have Jos'

Christian Horner has put Toto Wolff in his place after the Mercedes team boss advertised the door was still open for Max Verstappen. The Red Bull Racing team boss backs Verstappen's clarity over his future at Red Bull in 2025 and calls Wolff's flirting a "tactic".

In Spain Wolff was asked if there is still a possibility for Verstappen to move to Mercedes. He replied saying: "No driver decision has been made [aside from Russell]. I said we want to keep this decision as long as possible because who knows? Who knows what happens?"

Verstappen confirmed at the Red Bull Ring that he will also drive for Red Bull next year, something GPblog reported earlier in the year. So a possible switch to Mercedes is not possible until 2026 at the earliest, when the new engine regulations come into force in Formula 1. Nevertheless, Wolff continues to believe in an early switch for the three-time world champion.

Why is Wolff still leaving the door open for Verstappen?

Horner highlighted how he feels it was always clear Verstappen was staying at Red Bull. "That's a question you'd have to ask Toto. I thought Max was pretty resolute in what he said in this conference yesterday [Thursday]. He's always been absolutely consistent with that with the team," Horner said.

"It only reaffirms everything that we already know. You know Max is an important part of our team, he's had all of his victories and podiums in record racing cars, his three world championships so far and you know he's a crucial member of the team. He enjoys being part of the team. He's got a tremendous group around him. We know what the future looks like. Obviously, a lot of noise has been made about him going elsewhere. Sometimes one just thinks that that's a distraction tactic that's just thrown in because you have to question what the motives behind that are," Horner added.

"He's the driver that's created all the movement in the market had all the information about the engines and 2026 regulations and so on and chose to leave and left a vacancy at Mercedes, which is why there has now been obviously a little bit of speculation as to who will fill that seat, but it won't be Max Verstappen," Horner added before taking at dig at Jos Verstappen. The war between Horner and Max's dad reignited in Austria after the Dutchman said Horner prevented him completing a demo run. "If he does want a Verstappen for next year then I guess Jos is potentially available," Horner jabbed.