The future of Max Verstappen has escalated after Christian Horner left Red Bull.
Horner was shockingly fired Wednesday as Red Bull’s team principal and CEO.
That sparks another SAGA twist over Verstappen’s next decision – about staying at Red Bull or chasing for the F1 title with a rival team.
Mercedes is in front of the queue if the governing F1 champion wants to leave Red Bull.
However, Martin Brandle believes that Horner’s departure may have a knock-on effect that damages Mercedes’ wishes.
“There’s a higher chance that Verstappen will stay,” Brundle told Sky Sports.
“It made me personally with Team Barstappen.
“We know that Max Verstappen has an exit clause based on where you are in the championship at the end of this month.
“Does this make him more likely to go or stay? I just guess that he’s likely to stay.”
Max Verstappen retreated to stay at Red Bull
Horner, Barstappen
Last year, a feud with Jos Verstappen appeared in an investigation into Horner’s actions, where he was exempt from fraud.
The father of the team’s star driver warned that if Horner stayed, Horner could tear Red Bull apart.
Neither Verstappen nor Horner has budged until the team boss is fired on Wednesday.
Verstappen will be signed with Red Bull until the end of 2028. The details of his trade exit clause are rough, but it appears that he only allows exits if he is outside the top four of the driver’s championship by summer vacation.
Mercedes has yet to ominously commit to George Russell’s new contract.
Russell’s deal is set to expire at the end of this season, but there will be a vacant Mercedes drive that Verstappen might fantasize about in 2026 until a new one is signed.
The 2026 F1 regulations provide a fresh platform for each team, and it is rumoured that Mercedes has the best new engine.
However, Horner’s departure from Red Bull caused curveballs in the driver’s market.
Verstappen chooses to stay or go is the next huge domino falling into F1.