Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is reportedly already planning for the possibility of losing Max Verstappen in 2026. Recent reports have made it clear that Verstappen leaving the Austrian team for Mercedes is a strong possibility now. If this happens, a repositioning is in order at Milton Keynes.
Sky Italia have reported that both Verstappen and Toto Wolff have a concrete interest in making a move happen. The decision now lies with the Mercedes board, a part of which is still yet to be on-board.
If the move does materialize, Red Bull will be left in a difficult position. Without Verstappen, the team would have been nowhere in the championship standings in 2024 and also this year. But Christian Horner is reportedly preparing for the possibility, seeing it as a chance to reposition the team.
Speaking to Sport.de, German commentator Felix Gorner has claimed that Horner will look to bring George Russell in if he loses Verstappen, in what would essentially be a swap deal.
“It’s no wonder they’re simultaneously trying to make Russell an offer, essentially taking him away from Mercedes in a ring swap,” said Gorner. [via givemesport.com]
Talks are also underway between Russell and Christian Horner. But we’re not there yet.“ he added.
According to Gorner, Isack Hadjar could also replace Yuki Tsunoda to give Red Bull a brand new lineup in 2026.
If Verstappen does leave, the silver lining for Red Bull would be a potential repositioning of the team. Being the second driver at the Austrian team has become an impossible job since Verstappen established himself as the clear No. 1 at the team. If he leaves, Horner could have the opportunity to create a new setup, where the team works more as a team, rather than focusing just on one driver.
“Mercedes have got their own problems”, claims Christian Horner amid Max Verstappen links
Christian Horner fired shots at Mercedes after the Austrian GP, claiming that the German team “have got their own problems”. The Briton also admitted to knowing the exact contract situation with Max Verstappen amid exit rumors.
Horner was asked how difficult the situation at Red Bull is after a poor showing for the team at their home race at the Red Bull Ring. He was also asked about Verstappen potentially jumping ship as a result of their slump in form recently.
“I think they [Mercedes] have got their own problems. They were 62 seconds behind the race leader today,” said Horner. [via Sky Sports]
“For us, we just focus on ourselves. We know what the situation is with Max. We know what the contracts are with Max, and you know the rest is all noise that’s not coming from here.” he added.
This was seemingly a response to Toto Wolff’s admission of being in contact with Verstappen for a move to Mercedes in 2026. Horner also reaffirmed his faith in the Red Bull project, saying that the people working at the 2022 and 2023 constructors’ championship winning team hadn’t suddenly “become idiots overnight”.
