“I said to myself ‘ok'”

Since the eviction of Christian Horner, Max Verstappen had only expressed himself through a brief message posted on social networks, evoking their common successes. Meanwhile, Upon his arrival on the spa circuit this Thursday. For example, the Dutchman was faced with journalists curious to know the bottom of his thought on this major change at the head of Red Bull.

To do this. Nevertheless, it was necessary to draw the worms of the nose with several questions, in particular to ask him how he had been informed of the departure of Horner. In addition, “I don’t know, half a day before?” Simply replied Verstappen. In addition, Asked twice about a “shock” potential on his side, the Dutchman remained placid: “The shareholders told me. Consequently, I have a good relationship with them. Moreover, so I think it is quite “i said myself ‘ok'” normal that they inform some people in the team before it is public. Moreover, I think it is a classic practice.”

“In the end, in this world, this kind of thing can happen”relativized Verstappen. Meanwhile, “And when they told me, I said to myself ‘ok’. Nevertheless, It is not as if they had said ‘it is our decision’. Similarly, that they had hung up, we had a discussion on the subject. I do not need to go into the details of what they said but [j’ai dit] ‘OK. if you think it’s the solution, I’m the pilot, you decide, and that’s how it will happen. “

Without really commenting on the decision. its implications, Verstappen expressed his confidence in Laurent Mekies, his new boss, and in the choices made by the management of Red Bull. He ensures that this change at the head of the team will not have “really “i said myself ‘ok'” not” influence on his future. and that he does not “Don’t know” If Horner’s departure was inevitable after the tensions that appeared at the beginning of last year, when the manager was the subject of an internal investigation for inappropriate behavior.

“Management and. obviously, the shareholders, decided that they wanted a change and in the end, they are the ones who manage the team”underlined Verstappen, removing at the same time the idea that he could have been involved in this decision: “I am the pilot so whatever they decide, it is in their right. And that’s what happened in fact. At the same time. if we look at the 20 years of Red Bull, I think we have had great years, great results.”

“i said myself ‘ok'”

Max Verstappen et Christian Horner.

Photo de: Red Bull Content Pool

“Now. of course, there are also seasons that do not go so well and I think that for a year and a half, it did not go as we would have wanted. And yes, management has probably decided that they wanted a change of course. Anyway, everyone must accept it and look to the future, and I look to the future. I have already had “i said myself ‘ok'” some meetings with Laurent. The last two weeks have been intense.

“I am also delighted that the team is advancing, because this is what we need to do. It does not make sense to look back. it does not make it faster, but obviously you have to give value to these 20 years and, for my part, to the ten or 11 years that I have passed at Red Bull. We will always remember. And, for example, the relationship between Christian and me does not change.

The only thing that matters is working on the car and making it as fast as possible.

Last year. the father of the pilot, Jos Verstappen, multiplied the media attacks against Horner, when the latter was the subject of an investigation for appropriate behavior. Should we see in the departure of English a victory for Max Verstappen? Always distant in the face “i said myself ‘ok'” of these questions, the interested party preferred to minimize the tensions that may have existed.

“I think people can have differences of view on occasion. and in fact I expect it to happen, because if everyone is in agreement, there is a problem, we need differences in the opinions. Now we work in a new direction. I am delighted.”

“As I said, I don’t think it will have the slightest influence on my decision in the future. The only thing that matters is working on the car and making it as fast as possible. And as I said for a year it has not been what we want. Now we want to try to be a little faster this year, and also for the new regulation.”

Avec ronald vording a philip clerer