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    ‘No one is happy’ – Max Verstappen breaks silence after explosive Christian Horner F1 sacking rumours

    MAX Verstappen has spoken out against Christian Horner sacking rumours ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Friday.The Red Bull star, 27, spoke to Sky Italy about his controversial team principal’s status as the team sit 141 points adrift of leaders McLaren.Red Bull’s Christian Horner has found himself in the headlines recently with sacking rumoursCredit: GettyVerstappen has dismissed sacking rumoursCredit: GettyHorner, Red Bull boss since 2005, has turned heads after ruthlessly dropping Liam Lawson and being involved in a sexting scandal last year.The longest serving team principal on the grid has been tipped to leave by Austrian outlet oe24 but his star pupil does not share the same view.Verstappen said: “Honestly I have no idea where [the rumours] come from to be honest.”So, people ask me questions about that, and I’m like, ‘honestly, I really don’t know who even puts that in the world.'”READ MORE F1 NEWSThat is not to say that everything is great in the team as Red Bull are lagging behind in the Constructors’ Championship in third after six rounds.Verstappen himself is 32 points behind leader McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in this year’s championship but insisted his focus remains in the car.The Dutchman said: “No one is happy or satisfied with their performance, you always want to be better, you want to perform more.”So, for me, these rumours don’t mean anything.”Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSRed Bull have won six constructors’ and eight drivers’ titles under Horner but are looking to increase that.Verstappen said: “We want to improve the car, and that’s what everyone in the team is focussed on.”Max Verstappen snaps at Sky Sports broadcaster as he addresses Red Bull futureIt’s not just the Red Bull boss who has come under fire but also his driver as Verstappen has been criticised for his incognito practice session ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix.Practice for the Emilia Romagna GP is on Friday, qualifying on Saturday and the main event is on Sunday.Sky Sports will stream the event live, alternatively SunSport will live blog the action as it happens. More

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    Oscar Piastri takes advantage of yet MORE Lando Norris-Max Verstappen F1 fireworks to cruise to Miami GP triumph

    OSCAR PIASTRI showed Max Verstappen who the daddy was to win the Miami Grand Prix on the Dutchman’s big weekend.Lando Norris also came in second as McLaren stole the show on the weekend that Verstappen welcomed his first child and secured pole position for Sunday’s race.Oscar Piastri was victorious in MiamiCredit: ReutersThe McLaren stars celebrate on the podiumCredit: GettyThe Dutchman, whose partner Kelly Piquet gave birth to their daughter Lily ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, settled for fourth behind George Russell in third.Ferrari suffered more team orders chaos as Lewis Hamilton was left fuming with his race engineer over swapping positions with Charles Leclerc as the seven-time world champion finished eighth behind the other Ferrari in seventh.There was drama from the start as Verstappen was a whisker ahead going into Turn One but he locked up and Lando Norris went wheel-to-wheel with him out of the corner.But the McLaren driver ran wide on the outside and dropped into sixth as Kimi Antonelli sped into second with Oscar Piastri in third.READ MORE IN F1But the pack was stabilised under a virtual safety car as Jack Doohan’s Alpine stopped on track after contact with Liam Lawson.Norris was fuming at the earlier battle with Verstappen, and said on his team radio: “He [Verstappen] forced me off mate. What am I meant to do? Just drive into the wall or something?”Like I was completely alongside?”Race Control was unfazed and noted no further investigation required between the duo and it was game on.Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe battle for the lead was on and Piastri was all over Verstappen who brilliantly defended until lap 13 when the Aussie driver got past.But the McLaren attack was not done and two laps later Verstappen came under attack from Lando Norris.’I was dying inside’ – F1 fans stunned after Martin Brundle CONGRATULATES Conor Benn despite boxer losing to Eubank JrNorris lunged down the inside and got through but later gave the spot back as the battle got tasty.Finally the British driver got the job done on lap 18 and Norris got a clean overtake for second place despite Verstappen fighting tooth and nail to keep second.British Haas driver Oliver Bearman’s engine blew up and he stopped at Turn Eight prompting a Virtual Safety Car and a flurry of pit stops.It worked out very nicely for George Russell who jumped Antonelli and Verstappen into third under the VSC.There was more pit stop chaos for Red Bull as Yuki Tsunoda was slapped with a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane.Yet another VSC arrived, the third of the race as Gabriel Bortoleto stopped on the back straight with engine issues.Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton both passed Carlos Sainz with an expert double move.With 18 laps to go Piastri and Norris were separated by seven seconds and it would take a moment of magic for the Brit to close that gap.Seven-time world champion Hamilton was seething with his team who did not swap him with Leclerc.His engineer told him: “We want to keep the DRS to Charles go ahead like this.”Hamilton replies: “Man you guys! This is not good team work. That’s all I’m going to say!”Finally they switched the pair and fuming Hamilton said just before: “In China I got out of the way when you were on a different strategy. Have a tea break while you’re at it, come on!”While Leclerc said: “I need Lewis to go faster, I’ve just got dirty air now.”The Monegasque driver was all over Hamilton though and complained of his tyres overheating behind the Brit.Read More on The SunHamilton was told to “swap positions” with Leclerc and let him through into Turn 11 on lap 52, bizarrely telling Leclerc BEFORE the Brit to add to confusion.Sassy Hamilton was then told Carlos Sainz was 1.4s behind and he sarcastically responded with “Want me let him past as well?” More

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    Christian Horner responds after hated F1 rival’s subtle dig at Red Bull boss is caught by live TV cameras

    CHRISTIAN HORNER has hit back at Zak Brown’s playful dig at the Miami Grand Prix.The McLaren team principal was spotted drinking from a bottle labelled “tire water” during practice in Florida.Christian Horner has replied to the McLaren team principal’s playful digZak Brown was spotted drinking from a water bottle labelled “tyre water”It comes after Red Bull accused McLaren of using illegal practices to regulate the temperature of its tyres.Towards the end of last season, the Milton Keynes team thought the papaya squad was using water to cool its tyres.That would allow McLaren to better prevent wear and tear and keep its Pirellis in the optimal operating window for longer.Despite the FIA conducting a probe into the accusations and finding no wrongdoings, Red Bull have refused to let it go. READ MORE F1 NEWSSo Brown delivered a cheeky jab at his fierce rivals, as McLaren’s dominance continues to reach new heights in 2025.During practice in Miami on Friday, cameras turned to the McLaren pit wall where Brown was seen watching the action.Fans were quick to notice a decorated water bottle with “tire water” stickers, before Zak cheekily took a sip.Footage of Brown’s not-so-subtle dig was shown to Red Bull boss Horner who took it in stride.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHorner said on Sky Sports: “We’ll send him a Red Bull down if he needs some energising.”Red Bull are reportedly looking into how McLaren so expertly keep their tyres fresh.Red Bull’s Christian Horner gives low down on car before F1 season kicks off with Australian Grand Prix McLaren have shut down the unfounded claims and said the car was able to keep its tyres in check for longer due to the “downforce, balance and the overall innovation”.The rivalry continued when McLaren star Lando Norris beat team-mate Oscar Piastri in a dramatic Miami GP sprint on Saturday.Red Bull’s Max Verstappen – who welcomed his first child this week- dropped out of the points after a pit-lane collision with polesitter Kimi Antonelli. More

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    ‘The most important thing…’ – Max Verstappen reveals the blueprint for team-mates to BREAK infamous Red Bull curse

    MAX VERSTAPPEN has revealed the blueprint to break the daunting curse of being his Formula One team-mate.Verstappen, 27, is a four-time F1 world champion with Red Bull.Max Verstappen has revealed the blueprint to how to break the curse of racing alongside him at Red BullCredit: GettyVerstappen revealed the plan in Viaplay documentary – 10 Years of Max VerstappenCredit: ViaplayYuki Tsunoda, right, will need to heed the advice to avoid the same fate as previous Verstappen team-mates like Sergio Perez, left, or Liam LawsonCredit: GettyHowever, his team-mates during his time with the outfit have often failed to live up to expectations and rival the Dutchman.But speaking on a new Viaplay documentary celebrating his first decade in F1 – 10 Years of Max Verstappen – he has now revealed how anyone who drives next to him can overcome that curse.He said: “How I would deal with it [racing with me]? Try not to think about it too much you know. It’s always important to focus on yourself.”That’s what I’ve done when I’ve entered new teams or had to go up against team-mates.READ MORE IN F1″So that’s the only thing that you can control and influence so that’s why it’s always the most important thing to look at yourself.”Verstappen was promoted to the Red Bull senior team from Toro Rosso in 2016, and became the youngest ever Grand Prix winner at 18 years and 228 days in his debut race.But dating back to 2016, Verstappen’s team-mate have often endured a tumultuous time.Daniel Ricciardo was the first to fall in the Verstappen test when he quit the team to join Renault in 2019.Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKVerstappen’s next team-mate was Pierre Gasly in 2019, who only lasted half a season before he was swapped for Alex Albon.Albon fared little better in the 2019 and 2020 seasons before he too was replaced by Sergio Perez in 2021.’People can’t handle the truth’ – Verstappen FUMES after being given five-second penalty and takes swipe at F1 bossesThe Mexican managed the tricky Red Bull car the best during his three seasons behind the wheel, managing to win five races with the team before a disastrous final season saw him axed.Rookie Liam Lawson then joined the team for the start of the 2025 season, but he lasted only two races – in which he never came close to scoring points – before he too was replaced.Yuki Tsunoda is now the incumbent of the most cursed seat in modern F1, but managed to score two points in his second race in Bahrain before an unfortunate retirement at the Saudi Arabia.Verstappen missed media duties on Thursday due to the expected birth of his first child with partner Kelly Piquet. The due date is May 6 – two days after this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix in Florida.But SunSport understands Verstappen delayed his flight out to the United States to be at home with Kelly in Monaco.THE new Formula One season is well underway – and one team appear to be running away with it.A massive summer of change saw Lewis Hamilton move on from Mercedes and join Ferrari, while the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have a big chance to end Max Verstappen’s recent dominance.The Red Bull ace is aiming for a record-equalling FIFTH consecutive world title.INFORMATIONLATEST NEWSSEASON SO FARKelly also has a daughter, Penelope, from a previous relationship with ex-F1 star Daniil Kvyat, who Verstappen has a very close bond with.Although it was reported his private jet was seen leaving an airport in Nice on Thursday morning, and Red Bull insist he will be expected to complete his racing duties this weekend.His future next year has been cast into doubt though after he was tipped to take a year out from the sport by an unnamed F1 driver.And in the documentary Verstappen declared it was “not fun being famous” and revealed the one thing he wishes he was able to do but can’t due to his career in the spotlight.Read More on The SunThe ace, who earns a cool £52million a year, said: “It’s not fun to be famous, I prefer to be unknown. But I know that’s part of F1 especially when you do well.”Of course I would sometimes like to be able to walk around with your family and friends and not be known, but unfortunately that’s not the case anymore.” More

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    ‘It’s not fun being famous’ – Max Verstappen reveals family dream as F1 rival tips him to take year off

    MAX VERSTAPPEN has revealed the one thing he would love to do but can’t because of his Formula One career.Verstappen, 27, missed media day ahead of the Miami Grand Prix due to the expected birth of his first child with Kelly Piquet.Max Verstappen missed media duties ahead of the F1 Miami Grand Prix with the expected birth of his childCredit: GettyKelly’s due date is May 6Credit: instagram/@kellypiquet/But Verstappen has revealed what he wants to be able to do in his personal lifeCredit: ViaplayHe was speaking on Viaplay documentary, 10 Years Max Verstappen, about his lifeCredit: ViaplayThe due date is May 6 – two days after the race in Florida.But SunSport understands Verstappen delayed his flight out to the United States to be at home with Kelly in Monaco.Kelly also has a daughter, Penelope – from a previous relationship with ex-F1 star Daniil Kvyat – who Verstappen has a very close bond with.Although his private jet was only seen leaving an airport in Nice on Thursday morning, and Red Bull insist he will be expected to complete all his racing duties this weekend.READ MORE IN F1The birth of his first child comes with Verstappen in his tenth year as an F1 driver.His future has been cast into doubt though after he was tipped to take a year out from the sport by an unnamed F1 driver.In a new Viaplay documentary – 10 Years of Max Verstappen – airing from May 2, the Dutchman spoke about his personal life.The four-time world champion confessed he does not enjoy the spotlight and revealed the one thing he wishes he was able to do.Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKHe said: “It’s not fun to be famous, I prefer to be unknown. “But I know that’s part of F1 especially when you do well.’People can’t handle the truth’ – Verstappen FUMES after being given five-second penalty and takes swipe at F1 bosses”Of course I would sometimes like to be able to walk around with your family and friends and not be known, but unfortunately that’s not the case anymore.”Verstappen, who earns a cool £52million a year, also spoke about his passionate supporter base, known as the Orange Army, and admitted he loves the “positive energy” they give to him every race.The Red Bull ace said: “Yeah it’s always fantastic and great to see the fan support. “For such a small country to still have so many fans and to see them still travelling all over the world is really, really nice.”And for my home Grand Prix, seeing them on the grandstands for me it gives me goosebumps and positive energy.”There’s no more pressure for me but it’s positive energy and you try to use that in the best way possible.”Verstappen currently sits third in the F1 World Drivers Championship standings.Read More on The SunHe is 12 points off of leader Oscar Piastri and two points behind fellow McLaren driver Lando Norris.Verstappen won the first two races around the circuit in 2022 and 2023, before Norris won his first ever Grand Prix in Miami last season.THE new Formula One season is well underway – and one team appear to be running away with it.A massive summer of change saw Lewis Hamilton move on from Mercedes and join Ferrari, while the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have a big chance to end Max Verstappen’s recent dominance.The Red Bull ace is aiming for a record-equalling FIFTH consecutive world title.INFORMATIONLATEST NEWSSEASON SO FAR More

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    Max Verstappen in last-ditch dash to Miami GP with girlfriend Kelly Piquet set to give birth to baby any day

    MAX VERSTAPPEN is making a last-minute dash to the Miami Grand Prix after skipping media duties with girlfriend Kelly Piquet expecting a baby any day. Verstappen, 27, announced last December that he would be becoming a father with his first child.Max Verstappen delayed his flight to the Miami Grand Prix to be with his pregnant girlfriend Kelly PiquetCredit: GettyPiquet is set to give birth any day – with a due date on May 6Credit: GettyBrazilian model Piquet, 36, is the daughter of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet and has a five-year-old daughter, Penelope, with ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat.The due date is May 6 – two days after the race in Florida.But SunSport understands Verstappen delayed his flight out to the United States to be at home with Kelly in Monaco. As reported by Motorsport.com, his private jet was spotted leaving an airport in Nice on Thursday morning. READ MORE ON F1It means he did not arrive in time to fulfil his media duties on Thursday. But Red Bull insist that the Dutch driver is expected at the circuit in Florida on Friday.A statement from the team said: “Please note that Max will not be attending media day in Miami as he is expecting a baby.“All is well and he will attend track tomorrow for the race weekend.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“We will not be offering any further comment at this time in respect towards the privacy of Max and his family.”Practice 1 takes place on Friday lunchtime Miami time – six hours behind the time zone in Monaco – with sprint qualifying later in the afternoon.Max Verstappen’s glam Wag Kelly Piquet risks wardrobe malfunction braless in open jacket as fans say ‘girl, you slay’There is then the sprint race at 12pm on Saturday plus qualifying for the Grand Prix at 4pm.Lights out on race day is 24 hours later at 4pm on Sunday.And it is understood Verstappen is hoping to line up on the grid where he will try and cut the gap on Oscar Piastri. The Australian sits top of the drivers’ standings on 99 points, ten clear of McLaren team-mate Lando Norris – with Verstappen third on 87. Despite becoming a dad, the four-time reigning world champ is not set to miss a race, with a brief window before Imola which will take place from May 16 to 18.Despite Verstappen looking on course to continue racing for now, it is thought he may decide to take next year off from the sport. Read More on The SunRed Bull adviser Helmut Marko stoked flames last month by saying the concern about the Dutchman leaving was “great” and an unnamed F1 driver said he believes Verstappen most likely route is a season on the sidelines. Verstappen and Piquet started dating in 2020 – four years after meeting at a dinner – after her relationship with Kvyat. Verstappen is set to race in Miami this weekend despite the upcoming arrivalCredit: RexThe couple announced there were expecting last DecemberCredit: instagram/@kellypiquet/Verstappen will become a dad for the first timeCredit: GettyKelly has a daughter from a previous relationship with Daniil KvyatCredit: https://www.instagram.com/kellypiquet/?hl=en More

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    Red Bull ‘hold informal talks’ with George Russell to replace Max Verstappen in 2026

    RED BULL have held informal talks with George Russell over a shock move, according to reports.There could be several changes in the paddock at the end of this year.Red Bull have reportedly held informal talks with George RussellCredit: RexMax Verstappen’s future is unclearCredit: RexRussell, 27, was promoted to Mercedes’ main driver this year following Sir Lewis Hamilton’s departure.He joined the team three years ago and is out of contract at the end of the year.So far there has been little activity from Mercedes with regard to extending his deal.Red Bull chief Christian Horner has looked to capitalise on that ambiguity and has held informal talks with the driver, report The Race.READ MORE IN F1It is possible Horner is lining up Russell as a potential replacement for Max Verstappen.The four-time world champion also faces an uncertain future despite being contracted to Red Bull until 2028.That is because he has an exit clause in his contract which could be activated later this year.Reports have linked Verstappen with a move to Mercedes, while Aston Martin and McLaren are also interested in the Dutchman.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSMercedes team principal Toto Wolff is known to be a big fan of Verstappen, but Horner has played down speculation he could leave.He said: “I think noise is exactly the right word to describe it, there’s been a lot of noise outside of the team.Max Verstappen claims he has ‘lost all respect’ for F1 star George Russell in X-rated rant”Inside of the team Max reaffirmed his commitment yesterday, we’re focused on making the car go faster, Max is part of that and he’s a committed part of team. The rest is all speculation and hearsay.” More

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    Raging Christian Horner told brings picture evidence against ‘very harsh’ Max Verstappen F1 penalty at Saudi Arabia GP

    CHRISTIAN HORNER presented fresh evidence disputing the “very harsh” penalty given to Max Verstappen at the Formula One Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.Verstappen finished the race in second behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, but was only overtaken after being handed a five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.Raging Christian Horner showed a printed picture to media claiming Max Verstappen was wrong to be punished by race stewardsCredit: RexVerstappen was handed a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantageCredit: GettyHe came second to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in Saudi ArabiaCredit: RexThe incident occurred off of the race start at Turn 1 as Piastri made it to the first corner apex quicker than Verstappen.The Red Bull star then abandoned his attempt at making the second turn in the chicane, instead driving over the track limits to not lose any time.Piastri, 24, was over the team radio asserting he was ahead at the corner and that Verstappen needed to give the position back, while the Dutchman said he had been left with nowhere to go.Verstappen, 27, was then handed a penalty by race stewards which he responded to by saying “f***ing lovely” down the team radio, before serving it during his mandatory pit stop.READ MORE IN F1That advantage ended up being the difference as Piastri won his third race win of the season, making him the first Australian to lead the World Drivers Championship since Mark Webber in 2010.But in the media room after the race, fuming Red Bull team principal Christian Horner went around waving a picture of the Turn 1 incident as supposed evidence that the penalty was wrong.F1 reporter Chris Medland said a rival team principal not from McLaren told Horner: “Let it go, he was never making that corner.”Speaking to Sky Sports after the race, Horner said: “We have that discussion before the race with the directors. We have the notion of let them race but I’m not sure where Max is supposed to go.”Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKFuming Verstappen stormed out of his post-race interview with David Coulthard and was quiet in the cooldown room before the podium.He later went full Jose Mourinho as he raged on the penalty: “I can’t share my opinion otherwise I might get penalised so better not to speak about it.Max Verstappen snaps at Sky Sports broadcaster as he addresses Red Bull future”The world we live in, you can’t share your opinion fully, apparently, or people can’t handle the full truth. For me it’s better. “I don’t need to say too much, it also saves my time. We already have to do too much, it’s how everything is becoming. Everyone is super sensitive about everything.“Of course what we have currently we cannot be critical anyway, that’s fine, less talking is even better for me.”On whether he would appeal the decision, the four-time world champion said it was “not in my interest” and was only looking to go home.After the race the FIA released a statement explaining their decision, revealing Verstappen had actually escaped a punishment of double the severity.It said: “Car 81 was alongside Car 1 at the apex. Based on the Driver’s Standards Guidelines, it was therefore Car 81’s corner and hewas entitled to be given room.”Car 1 then left the track and gained a lasting advantage that was not given back. He stayed in front of Car 81 and sought to build on the advantage.”Ordinarily, the baseline penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage is 10 seconds.”However, given that this was lap one and turn one incident, we considered that to be a mitigating circumstance and imposed a 5 second time penalty instead.”Read More on The SunSaudi Arabia brought a close to the first triple-header of the F1 season, with a week break now before the Miami Grand Prix on May 4.Piastri leads the World Drivers Championship ahead of team-mate Lando Norris, who recovered from a crash in qualifying to finish fourth, by 10 points and Verstappen by 12 points.THE new Formula One season is well underway – and one team appear to be running away with it.A massive summer of change saw Lewis Hamilton move on from Mercedes and join Ferrari, while the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have a big chance to end Max Verstappen’s recent dominance.The Red Bull ace is aiming for a record-equalling FIFTH consecutive world title.INFORMATIONLATEST NEWSSEASON SO FAR More