Red Bull Racing, a team who dominated the 2023 season with 99% win record, erupted into flames following a sexual harassment compliant against team principal Christian Horner. The internal rift brewing suddenly widened, thus dividing the outfit into two camps, with Max Verstappen and Horner being on opposite sides.
After Helmut Marko was threatened to be fired by Red Bull, Max Verstappen took a strong stand and offered to leave with his mentor. However, while the fire died down following a truce between Marko and Horner, Verstappen’s future with the drink-based outfit still remains uncertain in the wake of two significant departures.
Max Verstappen’s Stay At Red Bull For 2026 Season Appears Unlikely
Three-time world champion Max Verstappen is forced to reconsider his future in F1 owing to the instability caused internally at Red Bull Racing. Despite his contract extending until 2028, the Dutch driver is miffed by sudden changes in the team. When the internal political turmoil first broke out this year, Max’s mentor, Helmut Marko, was on the verge of losing his job as RB leadership considered firing him. However, Verstappen saved the day by threatening to leave with Marko. He also made it clear that things at Milton Keynes had to stay the same for him to adhere to his contract. However, that hasn’t been the case as chief technical office Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley announced immediate departures.
Hence, given the recent twist in dynamics, De Telegraaf journalist Erik van Haren believes Max Verstappen will exit Red Bull in 2026. He opined that Max won’t publicly express his honest feelings as his team is in the middle of a crisis. While the Dutch driver has made up his mind to drive for Red Bull in 2025, tables will surely turn in 2026 when the new engine regulation changes come into effect. “I don’t think that will change anything for his plans for 2025, but for 2026, it will be very interesting what he will do,” Erik said. Notably, the drink-based outfit is also playing a gamble by manufacturing homegrown engines for the first time in partnership with Ford, thus forging the existing relationship with Honda. Hence, the risk of failure is immense as the team has absolutely no expertise in the technical field.
Max Verstappen No Longer An Option For Mercedes!
Meanwhile, journalist Erik van Haren recently reported that Mercedes no longer considers three-time world champion Max Vertsappen as an option for the 2025 season. The internal leadership is convinced of Verstappen’s loyalty towards Red Bull at least for the coming year. Hence, team principal Toto Wolff has apparently dropped the ambitious pursuit.
Having said that, Erik van Haren further mentioned that Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the teenage F2 sensation, is likely to be announced as Lewis Hamilton’s formal replacement for the 2025 season in the coming weeks, possibly at the Italian Grand Prix. Kimi has always been the front-runner since Lewis confirmed his departure earlier this year, and despite his inexperience, Mercedes are keen to gamble.
Stay tuned with Sports News International for more such updates about your favorite F1 team
