After an unexpectedly disastrous race in Austria, Red Bull boss Christian Horner has openly admitted doubts about Max Verstappen’s chances of winning the world title this season, sparking questions among fans and experts alike about whether the championship battle might be slipping from their grasp.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner conceded Max Verstappen would not win a fifth consecutive world title after a disastrous day for the team at their home track in Austria.
Horner said it was a ‘two-horse race’ between the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri who took a one-two on Sunday.
Verstappen started seventh and was taken out by Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli at Turn 3 of the opening lap. He lies 61 points off championship leader Piastri with 13 rounds remaining. The safety car was deployed as Verstappen complained: ‘I’m out, I got hit like crazy. F****** idiots.’
Red Bull’s second driver, Yuki Tsunoda, finished dead last — completing a chastening day for the Red Bull hierarchy.

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Christian Horner conceded that Max Verstappen would not win a fifth consecutive world title

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Horner said it was a ‘two-horse race’ between the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

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Verstappen started in seventh place and was taken out by Kimi Antonelli on the opening lap
Horner conceded: ‘McLaren have a significant buffer. It looks like a two-horse race. We just focus on every grand prix.’
Verstappen said: ‘We do our best and my mentality doesn’t change. We have won a lot and sometimes you have to accept when you are not winning.’