Verstappen Says F1 Paddock Is "Less Stressful" Without Horner

Max Verstappen believes Formula 1 has become a calmer place to work since Christian Horner left the sport, describing the paddock as "less stressful" now that the long-running friction between team bosses has faded.

In an interview with the Press Association published on October 7, the Red Bull driver said he prefers seeing people get along. Constant tension, he explained, may entertain fans watching from the outside, but a friendlier paddock is better for everyone working inside it. Life in the sport is already stressful enough, he added, so removing some of it is welcome.

The comments are striking given their history: Verstappen won all four of his world championships with Horner at the helm, and the pair were stalwart partners until Horner's departure from Red Bull more than a year ago. Verstappen has since taken his first victory of the current season — the 72nd of his career — at last weekend's rain-hit Malaysian Grand Prix, staged at Sepang.

Horner, 52, has made no secret of wanting back in, saying he has "unfinished business" and describing a move to lead Ferrari as a "dream" — comments that forced the Italian team to publicly back its current principal, Fred Vasseur. Verstappen refused to be drawn on where his former boss might land, calling it "not my problem or concern," and insisted the paddock needs no Horner comeback to stay interesting.

Verstappen also confirmed he recently signed a new four-year deal at Red Bull after speaking with other teams including McLaren, saying he is driven by the challenge of rebuilding the team. On a possible Ferrari switch one day, he was blunt: if it meant fighting for fifth or sixth, "what's the point?"

Formula 1 now heads to Singapore for the season's final Sprint weekend, with track action starting Friday.