As soon as it was announced that Honda would be leaving Formula One at the end of the 2021 season, speculation went into overdrive as to how this decision by the Japanese engine manufacturer may impact Red Bull’s talismanic racer Max Verstappen. Therefore, it is hardly surprising to see that Red Bull’s Team Principal Christian Horner has spoken out on the question during Red Bull’s ServusTV.

At the start of the year, back in January 2020, Max Verstappen tweeted: 

Very proud and happy that @redbullracing will stay my home until 2023. We started this journey together and they have supported me from day 1. I want to win with @redbull and @HondaRacingF1, our goal is to fight for a World Championship together. The best is yet to come! #YesBoys 

— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) January 7, 2020 

When this news was released it put to bed the growing speculation as to where Max Verstappen would ply his craft for the coming years. Now though, following an unprecedented situation globally as a result of COVID-19 and its inevitable impact on the world of F1, Honda’s decision to leave F1 at the end of 2021 has brought this discussion point back to the fore.  

Red Bull Racing is very much Max Verstappen’s team. This is hardly a shock seeing how the Dutchman broke onto the scene winning the Spanish Grand Prix in his first race with the senior Red Bull team having moved over from Toro Rosso – taking Daniil Kvyat’s seat.   

When Max Verstappen pledged his commitment to Red Bull Racing, back in January of this year, he did so saying: 

"I want to win with Red Bull and our goal is of course to fight for a World Championship together," 

However, due to another year of Mercedes dominance the question being asked was whether Red Bull have a car capable of giving the Dutchman what he craves. Now, following Honda’s departure being announced, the new question is whether Red Bull Racing even have an engine supplier enabling them to challenge at the front of the grid in 2022. 

No one knows what is in a driver’s contract and quite rightly so. Although, in a recent Sky Sports interview, Racing Point’s soon to be departing the team, driver Sergio Perez was bemused by just how much information leaks into the media and the Mexican racer was adamant that this should ‘stay private’.  

However, Honda’s shock withdrawal from F1 has now paved the way for such speculation that Max Verstappen could have a clause in his contract which would break the agreement he has with the team if certain engine suppliers are not involved.  

Speaking to Red Bull’s ServusTV, on the ‘Sport & Talk’ segment, Christian Horner made his move to ensure that this speculation was ended once and for all: 

"Well firstly, no clause in the contract exists like that," Horner said. “The contracts between the driver and the team are private, but there is definitely no engine-related clause in Max's agreement…He [Max Verstappen] is competitive. He feels very comfortable in the team and he’s been a big believer in the Honda program. I think he also sees that Honda has brought forward the engine from 2022 to 2021. Which is really encouraging.” 

Although many may consider that 2021 will be a repeat of Mercedes’ dominance, Red Bull Racing are clearly confident that it will not be smooth sailing for the Silver Arrows next year: 

"So we will take another step forward next year. He's excited about this, and he still has a long way to go until 2022." Said Horner to his Dutch interviewer. 

2022 is indeed a long way away and as the great Murray Walker frequently said when commenting ‘Anything can happen in F1, and it usually does.’  

Somewhat surprising though, is the fact that Red Bull knew of Honda’s intention to depart F1 at the end of 2021 for some time now. Despite this, the team has still not held any serious discussions with potential future engine suppliers. 

"We must now start thinking about an engine partner for 2022," Horner said. "We need clarity by the end of the year…Of course we have to consider all possibilities, all options. But in the end, it will be Mr.[Dietrich] Mateschitz decision over what he wants to do. But it is important for us to have enough power to challenge Mercedes in the coming years. 

https://www.motorlat.com/notas/f1/17350/f1-horner-says-w11-is-mercedes-most-complete-car

Nevertheless, based on the frosty relationship between Renault and Red Bull Racing in the recent years, this has led to several memes emerging representing future hostility ahead should Red Bull Racing require the French engine supplier’s services once again. 

Christian Horner also indicated in the same interview that the arrival of a new CEO at Renault, Luca de Meo, means that the future could be brighter should the two manufacturers join forces once again.  

“Of course I understand why people assume that we will talk to Renault. Since the separation, Renault has changed. The new board brings a lot of fresh wind and some changes. Things are moving forward." 

Christian Horner also shared his opinion on the potential for any other engine supplier joining the hunt in the pinnacle of motorsport:  

"The cost of getting a new manufacturer on board under the current regulations is simply far too high," he said. "So there will be no new manufacturer until a new engine - possibly 2026 - comes on the market. The costs for development are enormously high and hugely prohibited by the FIA. 

"The FIA and Liberty have to get a grip on this. They have done a good job on the chassis. Now we need homologated engines and we also need budget caps for the power units." 

One again, uncertainty and speculation reared its head in Formula One but for now at least, Max Verstappen is a Red Bull Racer. The talented Dutchman is signed up until 2023 and as far as Red Bull Racing is concerned – that is how it shall stay.