Christian Horner is ‘certain’ that Max Verstappen will see out his long-term Red Bull deal – despite the world champion defending his father Jos who called for the team principal to quit amid ‘sex texts’ scandal

Christian Horner is ‘certain’ that Max Verstappen will fulfill his contract with Red Bull, amid speculation that the world champion could distance himself from the constructor in the wake of the uproar unleashed by his toxic ‘sex texts’ scandal team boss.

The 50-year-old found himself at the center of a roiling storm that engulfed the sport after he was initially cleared of wrongdoing by an independent investigation launched by his team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH.

Less than 24 hours after the decision was publicly announced – and at the start of the first race weekend of the season in Bahrain – a series of leaked texts and photos, allegedly sent by Horner to the female employee involved, were distributed to key figures within Formula 1.

The employee was suspended from her role at Red Bull on Thursday as a direct result of the investigation, with Mail Sport revealing she had been told her evidence was ‘dishonest’.

Ahead of Saturday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen is increasingly linked with a move away from Red Bull after failing to publicly support his team boss, prompting FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to ask him to do so last Friday to beg.

The three-time world champion has a £50 million-a-year contract that runs until the 2028 season

Verstappen defended his father after Jos (right) said Red Bull would ‘explode’ if Horner stayed

His father Jos was also seen in conversation with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff – who has a seat available in 2025 after Lewis Hamilton’s shock switch to Ferrari.

But Horner was optimistic about the prospect of retaining the three-time world champion, who is under contract until 2028.

“I’m sure he will,” the 50-year-old said during media duties on Thursday.

‘I mean, he has a great team around him, he has great confidence in that team and we have achieved a lot together.

“He has committed to a deal until 2028. And from the team side, from Max’s side, we are determined to build on the success we have already had.

“Those 55 wins have all been achieved in Red Bull cars, all the podium finishes have been achieved in Red Bull Racing cars, and we are determined to build on that and hopefully add many more in the future.”

While Verstappen has been keen to keep his cards close to his chest and focus on successfully defending his world title, his father has been more outspoken. He told Mail Sport on Sunday that the team will ‘explode’ if Horner does not resign.

The 26-year-old launched an impassioned defense of Verstappen Snr’s comments on Wednesday when asked whether his father might have regretted what he had said.

“I didn’t ask him that, but my father, as I know him from karting, is very frank and he doesn’t lie, that’s for sure,” said the driver. ‘That’s what I can say about things.

‘My father and I are very close. We call every day. On the other hand, I’m not the guy who likes to talk a lot about certain things and I just want to concentrate on driving. If there are any problems, we try to solve them within the team.’

The 26-year-old did not immediately comment on the tumult engulfing his team

Instead, he emphasized that he thought it was important to have “a calm environment where everyone enjoys working.”

But he stressed that the most important thing for him was ‘to have a calm environment where everyone enjoys working’ and that ‘it doesn’t matter who is involved in the team’.

On Thursday, Ralf Schumacher, a motorsport expert and brother of legendary seven-time world champion Michael, said Verstappen’s decision to stay with the team could depend on Horner’s involvement.

Tensions within the team put Horner at odds with Dr. Helmut Marko, the motorsport advisor of Red Bull GmbH.

Red Bull Racing’s CEO reportedly tried to sideline the 80-year-old from both Red Bull and sister team AlphaTauri (now RB) last season, prompting Marko’s contract to be extended.

Verstappen, who is very close to the Austrian, called for his contract extension – which was confirmed – and is thought to have included a break clause in his deal that would allow him to walk away if Marko leaves the company.

Verstappen works closely with Red Bull’s Austrian motorsport advisor Dr. Helmut Marko

Verstappen topped FP1 on Thursday afternoon and finished third after the second practice session in Jeddah

The revelation has fueled suggestions that Verstappen could look for options outside the British manufacturer if relations within the team reach boiling point.

But Hamilton was unwilling to give in to speculation that his grid rival would abandon the formidable Adrian Newey-designed Red Bull.

“When you run a team you want the best driver and a driver who can get eyeballs and sponsorship and he is one of them,” Hamilton said. “I understand, but it wouldn’t make sense for him, but it will be interesting to see.

‘I’m sure Max is on the list (to replace me). But I’m pretty sure he’s tied up, and I don’t understand why he would leave a car that good!’