Max Verstappen “more likely to stay” at Red Bull after Christian Horner exit – Martin Brundle

Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen is “more likely” to stay at Red Bull following Christian Horner’s exit, according to former driver and Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle.

Horner was replaced in his role as Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal on 9 July with immediate effect by Racing Bulls team chief Laurent Mekies. While the reason for the Briton’s abrupt exit has not been confirmed, it came after a period of performance struggles for the team and a public feud between him and Verstappen’s father, Jos. 

Prior to Horner’s dismissal from the role, Verstappen had been linked to a move to Mercedes after team chief Toto Wolff confirmed he was in talks with the Dutchman. Although Wolff said he felt the probability of Verstappen moving to the team in 2026 was low, he didn’t rule it out for the future.

Following the news of Horner’s exit, Brundle argued that it was more likely that the four-time champion would choose to stay.

“It perhaps makes it more likely that the Verstappens [Jos and Max] will stay there. I think it became quite personal,” the former driver explained to Sky Sports News.

“Every point, podium and victory Max has through his own genius driving, is in a Red Bull car. He’s often said he wants to see his career out at Red Bull if he can. They are debuting their own engine for the first time next year, in what will be the biggest change in F1 history of car and power unit, at the same time.

“Christian has been in the driving seat of that aspect of the team completely. Max has an exit clause based on where he is in the world championship at the end of this month.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images

“Does this mean he’s more likely to go or stay? I can only surmise it means he’s more likely to stay at the team.”

Brundle also discussed Horner’s exit, confirming that it wasn’t a complete shock.

“It is not completely out of the blue, given the problems in the team. I’m quite sad about it. I consider Christian a friend and he’s done an incredible job for 20 years.

“He’s won an awful lot of races and world championships for drivers and the team. He took it from what was the Stewart team and Jaguar, into a massive campus in Milton Keynes and [had] an awful lot of success and a huge trophy cabinet.

“It’s not too difficult to feel in the F1 paddock and to observe and hear that things were not particularly rosy.”