Following accusations against Red Bull team principal Christian Horner for inappropriate behavior with a female worker, there has been conjecture that the triple world champion may join Mercedes in order to replace Lewis Hamilton, who is expected to join Ferrari next year.

Prior to the Bahrain season start, Horner was found not guilty of any infraction, but the off-track controversy continued for weeks.

Red Bull has signed the Dutchman Verstappen until 2028, although he made a suggestion earlier in the season that he may consider quitting if the organization fired longtime coach Helmut Marko.

According to Verstappen’s father, Jos, Red Bull would be “torn apart” if Horner kept his job.

Verstappen was happy to hear that this week in Shanghai, the focus of paddock conversation had returned to racing.

I signed a long-term contract with the team after 2021. Verstappen told reporters, “The only thing I said from the beginning was that I wanted to have a quiet, peaceful environment.”

We have been discussing the car lately, so I am already extremely thrilled about that.

That is also the proper way to do things. Naturally, there has never been a cause for me to leave the squad as long as I am content with them.”