Formula 1 Max Verstappen’s champion said Christian Horner’s dismissal such as Red Bull Boss would make no change in decisions about his future and the team still felt like a second family.

Horner’s dismissal this month ended a 20-year term and fostered speculation about Decentwith Mercedes already interested in securing the four -time world champion.

“Management decided they wanted to drive the ship in another direction perhaps,” The Dutch driver, calm and smiling, told reporters in the Belgian Grand Prix on Thursday.

“Everyone else should of course have to agree on this and wait ahead. And I’m waiting ahead.

“I am just as excited for the team that is now moving forward because this is what we have to do. Looking back does not make sense. It won’t make you faster.

“At the same time, we certainly appreciate those 20 years and especially on my part, 10, 11 that I have been part of Red Bull. These things will always be remembered.

“The relationship between himself and Christians, for example, that doesn’t change. Of course, he is not here now during a race of racing, but he is still like a second family to me.”

Verstappen has won all his titles in Red Bull, starting in 2021, but his chances of one -fifth are rapidly withdrawing as McLaren prevails.

The 27-year-old said Red Bull owners had every right to run the team as they saw it reasonable.

His father and former killer Jos fell with Horner last year, with older verstpens asking Briton to go. The champion said people had the right to disagree and he had recently spoken to Horner.

“The only thing that matters is for us to work in the car and do it as fast as we can do, really … the last one and a half years has not been what we want to be,“He added.

Asked if there was still an opportunity that he could not drive to Red Bull next year, he smiled: “There is also an opportunity not to wake up tomorrow. So then there is no driving at all.

“Life is unpredictable. But in general, I’m very happy where I am.”

Verstappen has a contract by 2028, with issuing clauses, and said he hoped to see his career in Red Bull.

Asked if he was surprised by Horner’s appearance, he replied, “I think in this world, such things, they can happen. And when I was told I was like ‘ok’.

“I don’t need to get into detail what they said, but I said ‘Ok, if you guys think that’s the way forward, I’m the driver. You decide and that is how we’ll do it.”

Verstappen said that the first impressions of the new boss Laurent Mekies were good.

“I like Laurent. He’s a very beautiful guy. First of all, a very smart guy,” he said. “He has been in different areas of F1 drive too. And I think this can be useful.”