Is Red Bull home for Verstappen... unless Horner stays?

His comment was as candid as it was revealing. After an early exit at the Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen admitted he spent the race watching the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps instead of the F1 action unfolding outside.

That Lando Norris won the Grand Prix on ‘his’ Red Bull Ring? Verstappen appeared indifferent. As for the championship slipping out of reach following his retirement, the driver seemed unfazed—suggesting he hadn’t been fully invested in the title fight for months, contrary to public perception.

Precisely during the weekend when Verstappen scored no points, team boss Toto Wolff reignited speculation about the Dutchman’s potential move to Mercedes.

It’s perfectly logical that the Austrian team wants to secure the sport’s best driver, but Verstappen clearly prefers to stay at Red Bull. That’s his home—where he feels most comfortable.

Furthermore, it’s far from certain which team will have the upper hand in 2026. Mercedes might boast the best power unit, but they’ve had that advantage in recent years as well.

Their struggles on the design side raise doubts about whether they’ll field the best car next season. With so much uncertainty around the power balance in 2026, Verstappen would be wise to wait and see—perhaps considering a move only after next year’s campaign.

Then is there absolutely no scenario conceivable that Verstappen might opt for a goodbye at some point? It seems there's only one if Verstappen definitively loses faith in the team's leadership. It's no secret that there are doubts about technical director Pierre Waché and especially team principal Christian Horner.

As GPblog reported a few weeks ago, the latter's powers have already been curtailed. Thai co-owner Chalerm Yoovidhya no longer fully supports the Brit. The Thai also desires success. If it's absent, then Horner is no longer safe in his position - as this outlet recently heard.

For some time, it's been known that Verstappen's camp would prefer to see Horner leave, allowing Red Bull to make a fresh, new start. If Horner doesn't leave, a further limitation of his powers would be very welcome by the Dutch camp.

If everything internally remains completely the same, then a departure of Verstappen from Red Bull could still become an option. This site has learned upon inquiry that this statement is not contradicted.

Thus, Max Verstappen’s future largely rests in the hands of Red Bull GmbH’s leadership: Chalerm Yoovidhya, Mark Mateschitz (son of the late co-owner Dietrich), and managing director Oliver Mintzlaff.

Looking at the bigger picture, the choice seems clear. Considering what each of Red Bull’s second drivers achieves with their cars compared to what Verstappen continues to extract from his, there’s only one conclusion: Red Bull simply can’t afford to lose Verstappen.