With the discharge of Christian Horner, Red Bull also wanted to set the course for the whereabouts of Max Verstappen. It is unclear whether the Formula 1 series world champion will start on it. There is a lot to say that the Horner-Aus could only delay its farewell.
With the dismissal of Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing has taken a radical but essential step to maintain their own chances of remaining Max Verstappen beyond the Formula 1 season 2025.
A departure of the Dutchman would not have been guaranteed with Horner at the command stand. But the ever hot bubbling rumor mill in the past few weeks has not been a coincidence. The Dutch would have stopped his tent in Milton Keynes if Horner had remained his boss.
Red Bull has “significantly increased” his Verstappen chances
Now Red Bull has ensured clear conditions on this front. In Formula 1 circles you are still unsure: is that enough to keep Verstappen? Ex-team boss Günther Steiner says: Yes.
“I think Max will surely stay with Red Bull in 2026,” said the South Tyrolean in an interview with RTL/NTV and sport.de. The former Formula 1 driver and long-time RTL expert Christian Danner is also convinced: “It [die Entlassung] Increases Red Bull’s chances of keeping them. “
There is also no title guarantee at Mercedes
What speaks for this thesis, among other things: Stand today there is nowhere for Verstappen. Not at Red Bull, not at Mercedes and with no other racing team. The completely new regulations for the 2026 season lets everyone punch in the fog. Nobody knows what the food chain will look like in six months. Waiting could be the best option.
In the paddock, Mercedes has been the biggest favorite under the new regulations for a long time. The new power unit of the silver arrows is said to be superior to the competition. But there is no certainty. As of today, everything is just speculations and assumptions.
Steiner, who explained in an interview with us, also knows that: “Change now and sign a long contract would be very risky.”
Red Bull stay is a risk of verbal
Steiner’s assessment is shared by many Formula 1 insiders. But the truth also includes: A remaining at Red Bull is also associated with a risk for Verstappen. The Dutch is extremely ambitious. After the successes of the past few years, only the title has been counting for him. Racing wins and Poles are nice, but not enough. Quiet in the racing team is good and good, but more important is a title -capable car.
Video: Exclusive: Steiner explains the Horner-Knall
Horner may have been controversial recently, but his expertise is beyond any doubt. What if it doesn’t work with Laurent Mekies? What if Red Bull reaches next to it when filling the other important positions that Horner was? And above all: what if your own power strain is not competitive in the end?
Verstappen would give away a whole year and would be gone anyway in 2027. If he has exit clauses in his contract this year, it will also be available in the coming year. The Super-Gau for Red Bull would only be postponed. The consequences of his departure would be clear, devastating. No matter whether this or next year.
“Verstappen is the component in the Red Bull empire that keeps the whole system going,” emphasizes the importance of the Dutch for the entire Formula 1 company. A complete collapse is not to be expected without Verstappen, but definitely a crash. And at Red Bull, you know how difficult it is to fight back at the top and a crash.
Formula 1: Max Verstappen is Red Bull’s only constant
Nobody doubts that Red Bull 2026 would be much better positioned with Verstappen. At the same time, nobody can say how Red Bull works without Horner. The Brit was there from day one. The vertebrae around his person has also led to a personnel wasteland that has left serious damage that has a direct impact on the performance on the route.
Verstappen is now the only constant in a fragile structure. It is more important for the racing team than Horner was last. At Red Bull, they hope to have scored with Horner’s throwing out and to be able to keep the Dutch in his sporting home.
Whether they will succeed will decide in the coming weeks. At the latest in August, “Super Max” wants to decide where it will continue for him from 2026. Red Bull has done everything to pave the way to a future together. Whether that was enough can only be answered.