Horner has remained linked with a return to F1 after leaving Red Bull, recently describing a move to Ferrari as a dream and saying he still has unfinished business in the sport.
Verstappen, who won all four of his world titles while Horner was Red Bull team principal, said he preferred the more relaxed atmosphere between teams.
“To be honest, I like to see people get on. It is not nice when you constantly have tension between people,” Verstappen told the Press Association.
“It is not as spicy, but I obviously quite like how things are going at the moment with everyone’s behaviour. It is less stressful.”
The Dutchman also played down the possibility of Horner returning, saying the former Red Bull boss’s future was not something that concerned him.
“He has shown he did a good job,” Verstappen said. “I don’t want to sound rude, but it is also not my problem or concern. He wants to come back and if there is a good opportunity I am sure he will, but I don’t know where that is going to be.”
Verstappen has committed his own future to Red Bull after signing a new four-year contract, having previously held discussions with other teams including McLaren.
Despite Ferrari’s status in F1, the four-time champion said winning remains his priority and that he would not move simply for the prestige of driving for the Italian team.
“I only want to win,” he said. “I am very performance-driven, and I have won a lot with this team already. It is a second family at Red Bull, and the challenge of rebuilding is what’s driving me.”
The 29-year-old also suggested he has no intention of following Fernando Alonso’s example by remaining in F1 into his mid-40s.
“I have extended for a few more years, and then I will look again and say to myself, ‘Can I commit 100 per cent?'” Verstappen said.
“If not, or there are other fun things around that deserve more time, then maybe I don’t continue. I also want to spend more time at home and see the kids growing up.”
