Max Verstappen has suggested that he has some 'disagreements' with Christian Horner in their time working together, but has pleaded with Red Bull to 'keep the key players' together.
The three-time world champion has been caught in the middle of a bitter behind-the-scenes row at Red Bull with his father, Jos, calling for Horner to step down in relation to his recent investigation.
Verstappen Jnr had previously relented from siding one way or the other, pushing instead to try and focus on the race weekend.
But questions over Horner's future at Red Bull have continued heading into the Australian Grand Prix with the female employee who accused him of inappropriate behaviour reportedly appealing the decision from the investigation.
There been more calls for Horner to step down, but Verstappen has seemingly given his biggest public backing yet to his Red Bull boss.
Max Verstappen has given his support to Christian Horner
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"It is very important that we try to keep the key players in the team for a longer period of time because that is where the performance is and if I didn't perform I wouldn't be sitting here," he said.
"For me, it is a second family. In a family there might some times be disagreements.
"You cannot choose your family but you can choose friends. A lot of people have contributed to the success of this team from the start and that has to be respected.
"It is important to keep them together, happy and in the same roles. But we just focus on the performance.
"I would like the chat to be about the great car that we have. Hopefully that will come slowly.
"Verstappen's uncertain future at Red Bull in recent weeks has seemingly piqued the interest of rival boss Toto Wolff.
The Mercedes team principal is on the lookout for Lewis Hamilton's replacement and Verstappen would present a huge coup for the Silver Arrows.
Wolff admitted "there is no team that wouldn't do handstands to have him [Verstappen] in the car".
But the three-time world champion has dismissed Wolff's comments as nothing meaningful.
Max Verstappen wants to move on from the saga
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"It doesn't have any impact on me on what I would do. It's always nice to hear that," Verstappen said.
"Toto and I, we had our little moments but that's normal between two teams battling for the championship.
"But the respect has always been there. From my side, it doesn't change anything."
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Jos Verstappen has previously called for Christian Horner to step down
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And he refused to rule out a possible move to Mercedes in the future.
He added: "I don't know. I don't know what happens after 2028.
"I don't know if I'm going to stay in F1 or continue or sign a new deal? I don't know that."
