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Red Bull Boss Comments on Driver Rivalries Amid Verstappen’s Absence from Monaco F1 Movie Premiere
As Formula 1 gears up for the iconic Monaco Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing finds itself in the spotlight both on and off the track. Team Principal Christian Horner has weighed in on the ongoing intra-team dynamics in rival McLaren’s garage, while World Champion Max Verstappen made headlines for skipping a star-studded film event in favor of family time and virtual racing.
Christian Horner on McLaren’s “Healthy Fight”
During the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris engaged in a thrilling on-track duel. Their battle, which saw Norris challenge Piastri in the final laps, sparked conversation about team orders and racing etiquette. Christian Horner offered his view on the incident, calling it a “healthy fight” that’s beneficial for the sport and the teams involved.
Horner stated:
“It’s a healthy fight. That’s what you want to see drivers pushing each other hard but fair. It drives the whole team forward.”
This sentiment reflects Horner’s long-standing approach to managing internal competition at Red Bull, where he has navigated fierce rivalries in the past — most recently between Verstappen and former teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
Verstappen Skips Monaco F1 Movie Premiere
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen was notably absent from the highly anticipated screening of Brad Pitt’s new Formula 1-themed movie in Monaco, which drew numerous current and former F1 stars. The $300 million Apple-backed film, co-produced by Lewis Hamilton, has been a major talking point during the Monaco GP build-up.
Verstappen, however, chose to spend the evening at home with his newborn daughter, Lily. The Dutch driver explained that with F1’s grueling calendar, these moments with family are precious and rare. Instead of attending the glitzy premiere, Verstappen engaged in sim racing — under the pseudonym “Franz Hermann” — a nod to his love of virtual motorsport.
Verstappen said:
“There are so many races now. If there’s a chance to be at home, I’ll take it. Especially with Lily here — it’s about balance.”
Challenges Ahead in Monaco for Red Bull
Despite Verstappen’s current third place in the standings, Red Bull faces uncertainty heading into the Monaco Grand Prix. Team advisor Helmut Marko has cautioned that the RB21 might struggle on Monaco’s tight, twisty circuit a stark contrast to Imola’s flowing layout where Red Bull recently triumphed.
“That was just Imola,” Marko said. “Things could look very different again at the next Grand Prix.”
The RB21’s strength lies in high-speed stability and straight-line performance, areas that hold less importance at a street circuit like Monaco. With minimal overtaking opportunities, qualifying performance and pit strategy will be paramount.
New Pit Stop Rule Adds Strategic Twist
Adding to the complexity, F1 has introduced a new regulation for Monaco: a mandatory two-stop strategy. Designed to spice up the traditionally processional race, the rule aims to encourage more overtaking through varied pit strategies.
Verstappen welcomed the change, calling it a potential “game-changer” for a circuit where track position has always reigned supreme.
Current Standings and What’s at Stake
Heading into Monaco, the Drivers’ Championship sees Oscar Piastri leading with 146 points, followed by Lando Norris (133) and Verstappen (124). For Verstappen, a strong performance this weekend could be vital in narrowing the gap as the season intensifies.
With off-track drama and on-track unpredictability converging, the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal weekend in the title race — and perhaps in Red Bull’s quest to reclaim dominance.
