Former driver already prepares for Horner's departure: 'No reason to keep him'

14:29, 07 Jul

Updated: 19:48, 07 Jul

byLudo van Denderen

Christijan Albers believes that Red Bull Racing is doomed if Max Verstappen decides to leave the team at the end of the season. The former Formula 1 driver sees team principal Christian Horner coming under pressure as a result, as Albers explains in De Telegraaf's podcast.

Will Verstappen stay or opt for another team, most likely Mercedes? That decision is one Verstappen must make in the coming months, although there are more signs than before that a departure from the Austrian outfit could well be imminent.

Albers said: "Then they really have a serious problem," if Verstappen were to leave.

'Horner under pressure'

"Horner is starting to feel the pressure," continues the Dutch analyst. "Those at the top (the management of Red Bull GmbH) will definitely not be happy. Because if they lose Max, I see no reason why Horner can stay on the team."

Albers long suspected that Verstappen would decide after Silverstone whether or not he would stay at Red Bull. He now expects this not to be the case, due to mixed results last weekend, namely taking pole position and a stuttering Sunday, which ended in a fifth-place finish.

"So that's why he hasn't made that decision yet. But it's going to come in the next two races. We still have Spa and Hungary. It's two weekends without races now. That (Hungary, ed) is not going to be good. That's so much low-speed, turning. If I were Red Bull, I'd brace myself for the impact already."