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Newsweek
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Verstappen's Red Bull Exit to Follow Horner? Uncertainty Grows Amid Mercedes Link
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former FIA steward and F1 driver Johnny Herbert has predicted a "difficult period" for Red Bull Racing following the abrupt departure of CEO and team principal Christian Horner. Herbert also highlighted Max Verstappen's links to Mercedes, suggesting that is where he is "probably going to end up." Red Bull dropped a bombshell on Wednesday by announcing Horner's immediate exit after a 20-year partnership. Former Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies has replaced Horner. However, Herbert has hinted that the sudden move could affect Red Bull even more, given its struggles on the race track. For the first time in the current ground effect era that began in 2022, Red Bull hasn't been leading in any of the two championships. Herbert revealed that Horner's exit was imminent. He linked Red Bull's decision to an incident that came to light early in the 2024 season, when Horner was accused by a female colleague of inappropriate behavior. Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit... Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 30, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. MoreThis was something that even Red Bull's 2026 power unit partner, Ford, was reportedly not happy about and sought answers from Horner. Horner denied all allegations, and a few months later, Red Bull cleared him of any wrongdoing after an internal investigation. However, the incident caused differences between Horner and Max's father, Jos Verstappen. This was followed by reports of an internal power struggle within Red Bull. These events could have played against Horner, especially when Red Bull missed out on a constructors' championship win last year due to balance problems on the RB20 F1 car, which the team could not entirely address. Addressing Horner's exit, Herbert told RacingNews365: "Well, I think it's not a surprise, I don't think anybody should be surprised. "It was something that when it first kicked off, I remember the Ford motor company weren't exactly very happy with the rumours that were going about at that present time. He's hung on for a good period of time, but I think it was something that was never going to go away. "And when it doesn't go away, it's never a good thing to have that sort of thing hanging around your neck. But there's also, is it anything to do with Max? Because, obviously, Jos was very vocal, and not wanting Christian about. Potentially, I suppose it could be that." Herbert highlighted that, considering Mercedes' interest in Max and the struggles at Red Bull, the four-time world champion could eventually sign with Mercedes. Notably, Jos is a good friend of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. Herbert said: "It sounds very much so, that the Mercedes thing is where he's probably going to end up. So, it's probably not a surprise everything with Christian anyway." Related: Flight Tracker Data Suggests Max Verstappen's Meeting With Mercedes Chief Given the high-profile exits from Red Bull since mid-2024, especially Adrian Newey, who designed Red Bull's dominant cars, and challenges with the current RB21, Herbert predicts turbulence for the Milton Keynes-based team, something that Jos and Max won't be happy about. He added: "Now, it's going to be a really difficult period for them [Red Bull], because obviously, with all the changes, with Jonathan [Wheatley] and Adrian [Newey] and a few other people, and of course, with Christian as well. "It's in a very precarious position at the moment, because, like anything in Formula 1, you've got to be able to have the right ingredients, which includes personnel, direction, and that's all been slowly, sort of eroded away. "And then you've got the performances on the track at the end of the day, and a probably not so happy Max, definitely not a happy Jos, but it's probably not a happy Max. "Because Max, as you know, wants to be in a situation of winning races and a world championship, and that sort of, again, slowly, sort of eroded away over the last, what, year and a half, I guess."
Newsweek
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Christian Horner's Shock Red Bull Exit Fuels Max Verstappen Mercedes Rumors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Christian Horner's bombshell Red Bull exit announcement sent a shockwave through the world of Formula One. However, many fans have expressed concern that this could be a sign of another high-profile departure: Max Verstappen. Horner served Red Bull for 20 years, becoming the longest-serving team principal in F1. He was also deeply involved in the development of Red Bull's 2026 power units at Red Bull Powertrains. Now, his exit has raised several questions. Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies has been promoted to take Horner's place as CEO of Red Bull Racing, given his excellent track record with Red Bull's junior F1 team. However, rumors suggest that Horner's exit occurred because Verstappen has revealed his intent to leave Red Bull. The four-time world champion elevated the Milton Keynes-based team to great heights in the current ground effect era that began in 2022, contributing greatly to the team's last two Constructors' Championships while securing four drivers' titles of his own. Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at... Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 13, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. MoreThe 2024 season saw the Dutch driver secure his fourth championship title, despite balance problems on the RB20 F1 car. Given his then-teammate Sergio Perez's struggles to adapt to the car, Verstappen single-handedly scored points for the team and secured his fourth title. With the 2025 season painting a grimmer picture for Red Bull, and considering McLaren's dominance in the field, Verstappen could be tempted by offers from Mercedes. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff openly expressed interest in signing Verstappen, even going to the extent of allegedly putting Russell's contract extension negotiations on hold. While Verstappen dismissed a potential move, fans say that his departure will follow Horner's. BREAKING: Christian Horner is to exit Red Bull Racing with immediate effect#F1 — Formula 1 (@F1) July 9, 2025 Some reactions to the post by F1 are stated below: This fan is confident: "So this confirms Max's departure." So this confirms Max's departure. — Adalberto González Ayala アダル (@Aleb_Z) July 9, 2025 Signed already? A bold claim by this fan: "I think you're all missing the point here. He is sacked because they have obviously ALREADY lost Max to Mercedes." I think you're all missing the point here. He is sacked because they have obviously ALREADY lost Max to Mercedes. — los generales (@losgenerales_cs) July 9, 2025 A fan prediction: "It's a bit late, the damage to the Red Bull team has already been done. "If they lose Max they will become a midfield team, I mean look at Max's current and last team mate, absolutely nowhere." It's a bit late, the damage to the Red Bull team has already been done. If they lose Max they will become a midfield team, I mean look at Max's current and last team mate, absolutely nowhere. — Cortexmatters (@Cortexmat) July 9, 2025 This fan pointed out a Red Bull trait: "20 years of service and you get sacked mid-season. Such a Red Bull thing to do." 20 years of service and you get sacked mid-season. Such a Red Bull thing to do. — Romeo Fardeen (@romeo_fardeen) July 9, 2025 This fan's got two points: "Attempt to keep Max happy by showing intent, or sacking him because Max is leaving and they need to completely restructure? 👀" Attempt to keep Max happy by showing intent, or sacking him because Max is leaving and they need to completely restructure? 👀 — hollseey (@hollseey) July 9, 2025 Another Max Verstappen angle: "As expected. I thought about this from last season when they tried so much to show his family angle. "Does this mean Max is really leaving?" As expected. I thought about this from last season when they tried so much to show his family angle. Does this mean Max is really leaving? — Bosketica (@ClaudiaStefano9) July 9, 2025 A rare comment about Yuki Tsunoda. Could Red Bull now make its car more drivable? "Actually Yuki is prob super safe rn since Laurent was on the Racing Bulls Squad , he prob has seen first hand how valuable Yuki is .. he just needs to asses the new situation with how bad the car is for anyone not named Max"
