Red Bull boss trolls McLaren as Max Verstappen rumours swirl

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has put a rival on notice as rumours of a bombshell grid change continue to grip the paddock.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner couldn’t help delivering a cheeky jab at McLaren as Max Verstappen rumours continue to swirl.

Verstappen has found himself in the spotlight in recent days with the four-time Formula 1 world champion linked with a blockbuster switch to Mercedes.

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Speculation that Verstappen is considering a sensational switch from Red Bull to Mercedes reached fever pitch ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix, as new reports out of Italy suggested talks between the reigning world champion and Mercedes had progressed.

Sky Italy reported the deal was “close” to being closed, but nothing has been confirmed by either team.

As the F1 paddock descended upon Silverstone, questions were put to Horner on what the team’s Plan B was in case Verstappen did elect to depart.

The Red Bull boss wasted no time in looking to his right at McLaren team boss Zak Brown and trolling him about poaching one of his drivers.

“You know, Oscar Piastri,” Horner said with a somewhat sheepish laugh.

The McLaren boss didn’t seem too pleased over the remark from his rival.

Lewis Hamilton’s awkward jab at F1 icon

Lewis Hamilton was also involved in an awkward exchange with Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle ahead of the Silverstone Grand Prix.

Hamilton is looking to continue a run of scoring a podium at Silverstone in every race since 2014, including eight wins, one P2 and third place twice.

But he might have his work cut out for him after failing to land a podium all year since joining Ferrari, with his best feature race result being P4 twice.

One of the most recognised voices among an ocean of opinions about the seven-time Formula One world champion is iconic commentator Brundle.

While the pit-lane pundit started the season backing Hamilton to win a record eighth world title, he later admitted it was “very hard” to watch post-race interviews considering his pace struggles.

Lewis Hamilton's awkward jab at F1 icon.

Hamilton, 40, took the chance to cheekily call out some of Brundle’s past comments, ironically as he was lavishing praise on the Brit’s move to Ferrari.

Brundle, 66, was chatting to Hamilton on the track at Silverstone about his internet-breaking photo at Maranello, when he said: “That image of you in the black coat in the Schumacher square at Ferrari … one of the most iconic photographs ever in F1 and what a shot that was.”

Hamilton then interrupted Brundle, commenting: “Thanks man, that means a lot coming from you, you don’t have too many positive things to say always.”

Taken aback, Brundle replied: “Well that’s not true…”

Hamilton delivered a tongue in cheek jab at Martin Brundle. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

On Saturday, Hamilton gave Brundle even more reason to praise him after topping Free Practice One before also lapping P3 in the second session later on.

McLaren’s Lando Norris – eyeing a home race win for the first time in his career – topped FP2 while Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc clocked in the second fastest time.

Despite Hamilton’s dig, the pair do seem to be on good terms after commentator David Croft revealed Hamilton advised the producers of F1: The Movie to add he and Brundle into the film for authenticity.

Croft said: “He (Hamilton) said, ‘If you want to make it authentic commentary, you need Martin and Crofty’.

“I really appreciated that.”

The British Grand Prix starts at midnight on Sunday (AEST).

– with Tony Robertson, The Sun

Originally published as Red Bull boss trolls McLaren as Max Verstappen rumours swirl