Red Bull's Horner: Max Verstappen 'annoyed' by Mercedes 'noise' - ESPN

SPIELBERG, Austria — Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has claimed recent speculation linking Max Verstappen to Mercedes has «annoyed» the four-time world champion over the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff confirmed his interest in Verstappen on Friday, but on Saturday stressed there was «a very low probability» that the Red Bull driver will be lured away.

Wolff also made clear that any prospect of Verstappen joining was in the «long-term,» with the Red Bull driver currently under contract until 2028.

The news erupted in the Red Bull Ring paddock after Mercedes driver George Russell said his own contract renewal talks were being delayed by his team's interest in Verstappen.

Horner was keen to play down the speculation following qualifying in Austria on Saturday, in which Verstappen could only manage the seventh fastest time.

«It's a lot of noise,» Horner told Sky Sports. «I think Max gets quite annoyed by it. We're very clear with the contract that we have with Max until 2028. Anything is entirely speculative that is being said. We tend not to pay too much attention to it.

»I can imagine that George is frustrated he hasn't been given a contract yet. But that's between him and his team. The situation with Max, we know clearly where we're at and as does Max. Everything is subject to noise and with any contract it remains confidential between the parties."

Verstappen qualified seventh for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix after he was forced to abort his fastest lap in the final sector when yellow flags were displayed following a spin for Pierre Gasly.

The Red Bull driver, who is currently third in the drivers' standings and 43 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, said his car was not