Horner not expecting major driver market movement before 2021

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner doesn't believe there will be any major driver transfers before the 2021 season. 

Much of the current field is tied down to contracts that expire at the end of the 2020 season, with rumours swirling about potential transfers ahead of the following season.

In 2021, the new regulations will come into force that will see the cars change with the aim of seeing close on-track racing and a tighter, more competitive field. 

Max Verstappen is one of the drivers out of contract, but Horner believes that the Dutchman will be willing to stay at the energy drink squad after next season. 

"All of the top guys are out of contract at the end of next year, he’s [Verstappen] very happy in this team," Horner said. "We love having him within the team, he fits very well here.

"It’s down to us to give him a competitive car next year. But when the music stops I wouldn’t be surprised to see everybody remaining in the same seats," Horner added.

Charles Leclerc recently signed a contract extension with Ferrari until the end of the 2024 season, all but placing him out of contention for a seat swap.

Horner doesn't believe that Lewis Hamilton will be tempted away from Mercedes following the success that the two have enjoyed together during the turbo-hybrid era. 

"Leclerc’s under contract at Ferrari," Horner stated. "Lewis is pretty happy in his environment, Max is happy in his environment, so If they’re sitting in competitive cars next year, why would they move?"

Horner: Honda must 'keep pushing' following positive 2019 season

Red Bull enjoyed a strong first season in partnership with Honda, who extended its reach after working with Toro Rosso in 2018. 

Horner acknowledged that there is still work to do for Honda in order to see it close up on its rivals, but is happy with how the car was developed throughout 2019. 

"I think generally we’ve developed the car well this year, Honda has done well on each introduction of the power unit. We know there is still a gap to close to Mercedes and we still need to keep pushing."

MOREHorner: Honda delivered what it promised

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • JuJuHound

    Posts: 352

    Christian doesn't speak about Seb at all, but he did mention Leclerc. It's a symbolic swap.

    • + 0
    • Jan 2 2020 - 13:53

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Netherlands
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (28)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), Netherlands
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar