Max Verstappen 'very happy' at Red Bull amid Mercedes rumors

Max Verstappen spoke out in defense of his father as the fallout continues from a public argument with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Jos Verstappen referenced the recently closed investigation into alleged misconduct by Horner, telling the Daily Mail that "the team is in danger of being torn apart. It can't go on the way it is. It will explode. (Horner) is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems."

Max Verstappen, who won the season-opening race, was asked ahead of this week's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix whether his father regrets those remarks.

"I have not asked him that but my dad, from how I know him in go-karting, is very outspoken," Verstappen told reporters on Wednesday. "He is not a liar, that's for sure."

Horner met with Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, on Monday. For his part, Horner has maintained his innocence and has insisted he expects to remain in his role for the remainder of the season.

"I'm the driver, I don't know what's happening higher up," Verstappen said, per RacingNews365.com. "But from my side, I'm contracted to focus on the performance side of things.

"That's what I'll focus on this weekend. What has been said in Bahrain from everyone is to just leave that behind and hopefully have a quieter weekend here.

"You might agree to disagree sometimes, that is sometimes what is happening in a relationship. That's how it goes."

The issues within the Red Bull team have led to speculation that he may seek a move to Mercedes, which is seeking to fill a seat with Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari in 2025. However, Verstappen's contract runs through 2028, and the winner of 18 of the past 19 races said he intends to fulfill it.

"I think no one would have ever realized that Lewis could have moved to Ferrari," Verstappen said. "You never know in general life what happens, or comes to you, or happens around you or what might influence you. So you can never say 100 percent that's how it's going to be.

"And I approach my life like that, but I also don't think about it too much. I'm very relaxed. Like I said, I'm very happy at the team."

Verstappen, 26, is the three-time defending F1 world champion and has won 55 Grand Prix races.

—Field Level Media