Red bulls:Verstappen absent as Horner holds….read more
Verstappen absent as Horner holds….read more
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing’s top driver and reigning Formula 1 world champion, was notably absent from a recent team debrief led by Christian Horner at the squad’s headquarters. The event, dubbed the “Triple Header Debrief,” was held in front of a large audience but went ahead without Verstappen’s participation. Instead, Horner was joined by Red Bull’s newly promoted driver, Yuki Tsunoda.
In a video shared on Red Bull Racing’s official Instagram story, Horner was seen addressing the crowd, lightly explaining Verstappen’s absence. Making light of the situation, Horner introduced Tsunoda to the team members and guests, joking about Tsunoda’s relatively short stature by saying, “I hope you can see him at the back,” which drew laughter from the audience. Horner warmly welcomed Tsunoda into the main team, encouraging interaction and questions from those present.
Tsunoda’s appearance at the debrief comes after a significant turn in his career trajectory. Initially set to spend a fifth season racing with Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls, Tsunoda was unexpectedly promoted to the main Red Bull Racing squad just two races into the 2025 season. This decision followed Red Bull’s controversial move last year, when they promoted Liam Lawson over Tsunoda. However, after just a few races, it became clear that Lawson wasn’t the right fit, leading Red Bull’s management, including Horner and senior advisor Helmut Marko, to reverse their decision. Tsunoda took Lawson’s place starting from the Japanese Grand Prix onwards.
Verstappen’s absence from the debrief comes at a time when there is continued speculation about his long-term future in Formula 1. Although Verstappen remains committed to helping Red Bull strengthen their performance in the short term, rumors suggest he might be considering a break from the sport. With a child on the way, Verstappen is reportedly weighing his options, and a potential sabbatical has been mentioned in the paddock. Such a move would allow him time to reflect on his career and future goals, although no concrete plans have been confirmed.
Despite the swirling rumors, Red Bull appears confident that both Verstappen and Tsunoda will stay with the team until at least the end of the 2025 season. Red Bull needs stability more than ever as they aim to defend their position at the top of the constructors’ standings and maintain competitiveness amid a fiercely contested championship battle.
As for Tsunoda, his future is less secure. Although he has shown resilience and adaptability, Red Bull has only committed to keeping him through the end of 2025. Nevertheless, the fact that he has already outlasted Lawson within the main team suggests growing confidence in his abilities.
For now, Red Bull’s focus remains firmly on the current season, balancing the development of their car with managing their driver lineup. Whether Verstappen will remain fully engaged or choose to step back temporarily remains one of the biggest questions looming over the championship
