What happens to Verstappen after Horner's departure from Red Bull?
16:23, 10 Jul
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Co-author:Norberto Mujica
With the departure of Christian Horner as Red Bull Racing's team principal, one of the two conditions for Max Verstappen to stay has been met. Does this also mean that the reigning world champion will not switch to Mercedes? GPblog and Ralf Schumacher weigh in.
GPblog has already learned that staying at Red Bull is not an absolute certainty, even now that Horner has left the field. Yes, the dismissal of the Brit is an important step, but Verstappen also wants some guarantees that things will improve on the sporting front in 2026 compared to the current situation. In the coming weeks, the Dutchman wants to get signals that the right path has been taken for the coming year.
The 'problem', however, is: the people who have had no idea how to tackle the problems with the Red Bull cars for a year and a half, are the same ones building the RB22. And that's where the matter gets complicated, because are they capable enough? Verstappen does not want to play a supporting role in Formula 1 in 2026, when the new technical regulations come into effect.
GPblog has already learned that staying at Red Bull is not an absolute certainty, even now that Horner has left the field. Yes, the dismissal of the Brit is an important step, but Verstappen also wants some guarantees that things will improve on the sporting front in 2026 compared to the current situation. In the coming weeks, the Dutchman wants to get signals that the right path has been taken for the coming year.
The 'problem', however, is: the people who have had no idea how to tackle the problems with the Red Bull cars for a year and a half, are the same ones building the RB22. And that's where the matter gets complicated, because are they capable enough? Verstappen does not want to play a supporting role in Formula 1 in 2026, when the new technical regulations come into effect.
What does Ralf Schumacher expect?
Ralf Schumacher was asked by the German Sky Sports about the connection between Horner's dismissal and Verstappen staying at Red Bull. The German also says that these are separate issues, although Verstappen and Horner were not friends. "Of course, Max wants to stay at Red Bull if at all possible, because that's where it all started and he owes a lot to Red Bull", explains the former racer.
"But I fear that this slump Red Bull is currently experiencing will continue for a while. That usually lasts – in the history of Formula 1 – two or three years. Now, of course, this might happen: there are new regulations next year, and then they might find an amazing concept."
But Schumacher cannot imagine that: "Because [technical director] Waché has not been able to steer the car [in the] right [direction] and make it good for two or one and a half years. So, I still believe that Max, after this weekend, is thinking more than ever about leaving Red Bull."
"But I fear that this slump Red Bull is currently experiencing will continue for a while. That usually lasts – in the history of Formula 1 – two or three years. Now, of course, this might happen: there are new regulations next year, and then they might find an amazing concept."
But Schumacher cannot imagine that: "Because [technical director] Waché has not been able to steer the car [in the] right [direction] and make it good for two or one and a half years. So, I still believe that Max, after this weekend, is thinking more than ever about leaving Red Bull."
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