In the quiet weeks after the 2025 Formula 1 season ended—a heart-pounding campaign that saw Max Verstappen fall just two points short of a fifth consecutive world title—the Dutch superstar sat down for his traditional end-of-year interview with Viaplay.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The lights were soft, the questions probing, and as always, Max was candid. But one topic stood out amid reflections on epic comebacks and near-misses: his relationship with Christian Horner, the man who had been Red Bull’s team principal for two decades until his shock sacking midway through the year.

The interviewer leaned in. “Christian’s departure was huge for the team. Do you still keep in touch with him?”

Max paused for a moment, a small smile crossing his face as he thought back to the battles they had shared—especially that ferocious 2021 title fight against Lewis Hamilton, where Horner had backed him through every controversy and corner.

“Yeah,” Max replied simply. “Every week. Every race.”

The room seemed to hold its breath. In a sport where loyalties shift like tire compounds, this was a revelation. Horner had been ousted in July, replaced by Laurent Mekies amid internal turmoil and a dip in performance. Many assumed bridges had been burned. But no.

“We text a lot,” Max continued. “On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays during the weekends. He’s still my biggest fan—sending messages like ‘Good luck’ or ‘I’m believing in you.’ We talk about the races, sure, but also about everything we’ve been through together. Christian went through fire for me back in the day. Those moments, especially 2021… you never forget that.”

He spoke with genuine warmth, no bitterness toward the team’s decision to move on. “Things weren’t going well for a while—results, some unrest—and the shareholders wanted change. It’s business. But what we built? That’s personal.”

As the interview wrapped, Max’s words lingered like exhaust in the air. In the high-pressure world of F1, where team principals come and go and drivers chase glory under new banners, some connections prove unbreakable. Horner might no longer be in the garage, calling the shots from the pit wall, but every race weekend, a buzz on Max’s phone reminded him: the bond was still there, fueling him forward into 2026 and beyond.

And in a season of dramatic twists, perhaps the most enduring story wasn’t on the track — it was the quiet loyalty between a four-time champion and the boss who helped forge him.

The sun has risen on a landmark year for Team Penske, which will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026.

Kickstarting this momentous occasion, team founder and owner Roger Penske penned a touching letter to team members and fans, taking a moment to step back and thank their supporters in all racing series’ for their “unwavering support” throughout the team’s trophy-laden existence.

The 88-year-old, who raced in Formula 1, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans prior to founding his own team, will soon see his NASCAR, IndyCar, IMSA, and FIA World Endurance Championship teams embark on a new season, throughout which they will be relying on what he described as “unmatched” loyalty and “unparalleled” dedication.

“Fans are the lifeblood of our sport, and the passion and fervor you display are key to driving Team Penske forward each season,” Penske said. “From Daytona to Indianapolis, Darlington to Long Beach, Detroit to Miami and many more, you continue to amaze us with your terrific and steady support.

“Professional sports will always have its ups and downs, but your support has been unwavering. We remain as committed to you as you are to us.”

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Penske went on to reflect on his team’s humble beginnings in Pennsylvania, first taking to the track in March 1966 with the 12 Hours of Sebring, where the team’s No. 9 entry finished first in class and ninth overall, before entering the 24 Hours of Daytona that June, again topping their class in the No. 6 with a 12th-place overall finish.

“I’ve said this many times, but the real key to Team Penske’s success and longevity is the people,” Penske wrote. “We call it our human capital. It is the magic behind 48 championships, over 650 wins, 700 pole positions, 20 Indianapolis 500 victories, a win in Formula 1, three 24 Hours of Daytona wins and five NASCAR Cup Series championships since 2012.

“More than 100 talented drivers, countless crew members, teammates and partners, along with you, the fans, have all helped to propel those accomplishments, among others.”

Despite this laundry list of remarkable accomplishments, Penske believes “the best is still to come,” making it clear that the team will not be resting on its laurels. “My father taught me the phrase Effort Equals Results many years ago,” he said. “It will take hard work to continue the legacy of so many that have embodied that phrase over the years.

“From everyone at Team Penske, we thank you for being an integral part of our success. Your trust in our people and belief in our culture is at the heart of our story. We could not do it without each of you.”

Penske’s landmark season is soon set to kick off with the Rolex 24 at Daytona, running from January 24 through the 25. The team will then return to the historic Florida venue the following month for NASCAR’s Cup Series opener on the 15th with the Daytona 500. However, it will first take part in the annual non-points scoring season opener Cook Out Clash, which will be held at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1.

Anheuser-Busch is one of the biggest sponsors in the history of NASCAR for over decade 2014 Cup series champion Kevin Harvick was their main man. But in 2024, the Busch Light Marketing team faced a challenge, as they had to pick the right successor for ‘the closer’ after the veteran announced retirement in 2023.

Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain was the racer who won the sponsorship. Since then, the No:1 Chevy has been sporting the iconic white and blue paint scheme. Talking about it recently, the star driver highlighted how he won the sponsorship by taking advantage of Kevin Harvick retiring. Him always being a Busch Light fan made it an easier pitch.

We wanted Busch Light. We knew Kevin Harvick was retiring, and we wanted to make our case to him. I drank Busch Light before they sponsored me. I was going to drink it whether they sponsored me or not. So, that made the first conversation really easy.

Ross Chastain via NASCAR on YouTube.

This passion the Trackhouse Racing driver has about the partnership was evident in his statement announcing the partnership ahead of the 2024 season. He asserted that this is a sponsorship relation that is close to his hear and saw it as an opportunity to help the hard-working people of US enjoy a clod one after their job.

This sponsorship means so much to me as the brand not only supports NASCAR, but also places value and extends their support to communities that are close to my heart—the humble, hard-working people across the U.S. who enjoy cracking a cold one after an honest day’s work.

Ross Chastain said during the sponsorship announcement.

Ross Chastain plans holiday trip to his teammate’s homeland

In the same NASCAR YouTube session, when asked about his travel bucket list, Ross Chastain pointed out that he always wanted to visit Australia, but now he has changed his goal to visit New Zealand. This is because of the friendship he developed with his Kiwi teammate Shane van Gisbergen.

I think, well, I would like to go to Australia — that was always my goal — but now maybe New Zealand. So, I’ve told Shane I want to come visit him this off-season.

Ross Chastain said.

They had talked about having a visit during the off-season, but it depends of SVG schedule. Since the Florida native isn’t that good with geography, something he hilariously admitted, he wants the three times Supercars champion’s help.

I don’t know if we’ll actually pull the trigger on it, but I want to do it. I don’t really know the difference between Australia and New Zealand, so I told Shane to show me the ways over there.

Ross Chastain added.

The comments from the veterans shows he would love to have the opportunity and maybe Trackhouse can use it as a team building trip involving Conor Zilisch. This can also be a content mine for them the grow their brand.

Also Read: Kyle Busch Sets Clear NASCAR Goals for Son Brexton Busch

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Adam Family Motorsports announced today it will field a Longhorn Chassis for Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., during Jan. 10-18’s Wild West Shootout at Central Arizona Raceway in Casa Grande, Ariz., which brings the miniseries to Thornton’s home state for the first time since 2021.

Daniel Adam, the son of team owner Joe Adam, will pilot the team’s Rocket XR1.2 Chassis alongside Thornton throughout the Southwest miniseries. The connection with Thornton and Adam Family Motorsports likely came together after the team recently announced the addition of sponsor Hoker Trucking, a long-time supporter of Thornton throughout his racing career.

Adam’s team also cited a longstanding friendship with Bobby Koehler of Koehler Motorsports, Thornton’s usual team owner who gave the temporary partnership his blessing, allowing Thornton’s Anthony Burroughs-led Koehler Motorsports team to focus on preparing for Georgia-Florida Speedweeks.

Thornton, 35, will begin his stint as Daniel Adam’s teammate in the Wild West Shootout’s $25,000-to-win opener on Sat., Jan. 10. Thornton is also entered in Jan. 12-17’s Chili Bowl Nationals, an indoor midget event at the Tulsa (Okla.) Expo Center where he will compete in at least one midweek qualifying night preliminary program and could end up missing Jan. 17’s Wild West Shootout show if he’s in position to make the same day’s Chili Bowl finale.

The six-race Wild West Shootout includes $10,000-to-win programs on Jan. 11,, Jan. 14, Jan. 16 and Jan. 17 before concluding with a second $25,000-to-win event on Jan. 18.

Both the Wild West Shootout and Chili Bowl Nationals will be live-streamed on FloRacing.

Legendary NASCAR driver Ryan Newman will see his 14-year-old daughter race at the Tulsa Shootout this weekend – an event at which many have looked to make a name for themselves.

The largest event for micro sprint racing in the world, the Tulsa Shootout begins this week with Brooklyn Newman set to be competing. Newman is not the only driver to see his kids race in the event this weekend, with Kyle Larson’s son and daugher both set to be behind the wheel.

A hectic and unforgiving race, a 13-year-old had a helmet thrown at him by a fellow driver this week after an ugly incident on the track.

Newman is all too knowing of the risks that come with the sport, but has trust in his daughter and allowed her to race in the event after making a deal with her.

The former Daytona 500 winner had spoken on why he’s allowing her to compete, stating that at the start of last year, she asked him: “Dad, I want to go Tulsa”.

Newman responded to his daughter: “We have a good year. I’ll take you to Tulsa, so here we are in Tulsa and it’s the end of the year. So we’ll see how we finish up.”

The 14-year-old is seen as an exciting prospect in motorsports, competing across multiple events including at the Winged Micro, Outlaw Dirt Intermediate and 602 Modified classes.

She impressed her father enough to enter her in the Tulsa Shootout this week, where she’ll be in Race 67 of the Outlaw micro sprint class.

Ahead of the race, she said: “We had a pretty fast car. I’m excited.”

Meanwhile, NASCAR Cup Series Championship winner Larson will see his son and daughter enter the same event this weekend.

Larson said on his children competing: “That’s what I’m most excited about is just getting to see the kids participate in a big event, have fun and, hopefully, do a good job.

“Audrey, she’s getting to run her first Shootout in the junior sprint—and she takes it very seriously. We’ve watched every lap of the 2024 Shootout, every lap of the Junior Sprint. So she’s been studying. Hopefully, she can do good.

“And then Owen, he has been doing a good job this year, but he’s going to be in a lot of tough divisions, so I don’t know what to expect there. Obviously, it takes a little bit of luck along the way.”

“Watkins Glen International is saddened by the passing of former President Michael Printup, who led the facility for 15 years.

During his tenure, Michael played a key role in the continued growth and success of Watkins Glen International, helping to strengthen its operations, partnerships, and standing within the motorsports industry while honoring the venue’s storied history.

Michael was a respected leader who left a lasting impact on the organization and those who worked alongside him. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.”

WGI PR