Nico Rosberg explains how he thinks Christian Horner is now putting ‘pressure’ on Toto Wolff

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Red Bull faces questions over the future of its driver lineup in Formula 1 amid uncertainty over Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

Verstappen is under contract until at least the end of 2028, but his deal features multiple exit clauses that could influence his short-term future at Red Bull.

One of those clauses dictates that if he isn’t in the top three of the Drivers’ Championship after the opening rounds of the 2025 season, Verstappen is free to activate a break clause that could see him consider other options.

Red Bull also faces scrutiny over Sergio Perez and whether the Mexican can improve his form, otherwise the next six races when Liam Lawson is expected to replace Daniel Ricciardo could be seen as a rehearsal for the Mexican’s early exit.

When discussing their driver options over the Singapore GP weekend, Christian Horner insisted they are not afraid to look outside their driver stable for driving talent and referenced George Russell being out of contract in 2025.

While it could be an interesting prospect for the future, former F1 driver and 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg believes this is being used as a tactic for Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff when speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast.

Nico Rosberg thinks Christian Horner is ‘putting pressure’ on Toto Wolff with George Russell talks

Horner and Red Bull have looked outside their talent pool before, notably in 2020 when they signed Perez from Racing Point after a strong season.

Russell is out of contract at the end of 2025 and could theoretically make a move to a new team in 2026, although this might hinge on the future Verstappen.

Wolff has previously shown an interest in signing the World Champion and it could come at the expense of Russell or Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Rosberg believes this latest comment from Horner was a ‘knife throw’ towards Wolff to put pressure on his decision.

“That was a bit of a knife thrown towards Toto there, I felt. It puts the pressure on Toto to make a decision because George doesn’t have a contract,” said Rosberg.

“Christian could be really naughty and just try and snatch him away from there and try and lock him in through contract already now, which I don’t know if George would even be interested, but it does add the pressure for Toto, a comment like that.”

Max Verstappen faces title showdown with Lando Norris

Verstappen retained his championship lead by 52 points after the Singapore Grand Prix, but it was another weekend of damage limitation amid McLaren’s form.

If Norris had won the Azerbaijan GP and not had a poor qualifying session, he would likely be within 50 points of Verstappen in the title race.

Horner has cautioned their upcoming car upgrade for the RB20 at the US GP might not work, after some of their data gathering in the last two races was compromised by Perez’s late crash in the Azerbaijan GP.

Verstappen could still win the title if he finishes second and Norris wins each of the last six races, but he will need to match their consistency to comfortably defend his title.