Christian Horner prepares post-Max Verstappen era with moves for two top F1 drivers. Christian Horner is reportedly targeting Charles Leclerc and George Russell to lead the team from 2027.

Red Bull is on the verge of a major turning point. On one hand, the separation from Honda in 2025 will coincide with their debut in the challenging world of Power Units in partnership with Ford. On the other, 2026 could mark a major shift for the team’s driver lineup as well.

The potential departure of Max Verstappen and the exit of Helmut Marko may also signal a radical change in Red Bull’s driver strategy. For many years, the Austrian team has led the way with its approach: supporting the careers of numerous young talents who have gone on to race in Formula 1, with many still present on the current grid.

Max Verstappen, Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar – and even Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon – have all been part of the Red Bull ecosystem at some point. However, following recent rumors of Max Verstappen’s possible split from “his” team, Christian Horner is reportedly already taking steps to ensure the team remains competitive, eyeing several established champions currently racing in F1.

This would represent a departure from Red Bull’s long-standing philosophy, with the focus now shifting to experienced drivers who have already proven their worth – drivers whose talent could rival, if not match, that of Verstappen. The names being linked are Charles Leclerc and George Russell, whom Horner is reportedly keen to bring together as Red Bull’s driver pairing in 2027.

This decision is also believed to be influenced by Red Bull’s current situation, where, both last year and in the early stages of this season, the team has often relied solely on their lead driver for points. Sergio Perez, followed by Liam Lawson and now Yuki Tsunoda, have struggled to match their teammate’s performance.

As a result, Red Bull seems poised to shift toward a new direction – one without Max Verstappen, but with two high-caliber drivers to keep the team at the front of the grid.

Talks have reportedly already begun with the Ferrari driver, who is dissatisfied after yet another disappointing start to the season, and with George Russell as well. Christian Horner is said to be seeking to secure a pre-contract this year to protect the team in case of setbacks with the in-house Power Unit project. The negotiations are still in the early stages, but the direction now appears to be clearly defined.