Max Verstappen stopped short of committing his future to Red Bull during a hectic media day at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

The world champion’s Red Bull Racing team have become front page news in recent weeks, ever since they began an internal investigation into team principal Christian Horner over alleged inappropriate behaviour.

Horner was cleared by the team on the eve of the opening weekend of the season on February 28, but a day later images were sent to journalists and high-ranking Formula 1 officials reportedly from the accuser.

Horner has held onto his position, but not without further drama, particularly from Verstappen’s father, Jos.

Jos Verstappen said the team would ‘explode’ if Horner stayed in his post, and soon after stories began to emerge linking his son with a move to Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton.

Responding to those stories, Verstappen stopped short of ruling out a Red Bull departure.

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“Things must go really crazy I guess, but that’s not the target for anyone,” he said.

“From my side I’m just focusing on the driving bit, I think that’s the most important thing for the team and that’s also why we came here and that’s our main target and what we want to focus on, to not have this stuff going on race after race because that is not good for the team.”

In a separate interview, the three time champion was again asked about a departure, and said: “The thing is nobody would have ever seen that Lewis would move to Ferrari.

“That’s not related to F1, it’s just general life. You never know what happens around you or what might influence you. You can never say 100 per cent what is going to be.

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“But I also don’t think about it too much - I’m very relaxed. I’m very happy with the team. The performance is there, there is no reason to leave.”

Horner said in Bahrain that he was ‘absolutely confident’ Verstappen would be with the team next season, but his star driver wasn’t as strong in his statements when asked if he could continue to work under Horner.

“Well we are at the moment,” he replied. “I saw a lot of stories about that, which was a bit weird to read.

“But from my side, what I want and it doesn’t matter who is involved in the team or not, is to have a quiet environment where everyone is happy to work.”

Verstappen also took the opportunity to defend his father amid a civil war at Red Bull.

“I have not asked him that but my dad, from how I know him in go-karting, is very outspoken and he is not a liar, that is for sure,” he said.

“My dad and I are very close. We call every day. I don’t see myself in F1 without him by my side.”