Formula 1 is rapidly moving towards one of the biggest regulatory changes in its history. Inside the paddock, there is a sense of calm, but it feels somewhat superficial. Ferrari can breathe a sigh of relief after Frederic Vasseur secured a contract renewal as team principal. McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin all have stable structures, while smaller teams have long since solidified their managerial hierarchies and are ready — Sauber above all — to dive headfirst into the upcoming season.
The mystery surrounding Red Bull
Among these teams, Red Bull stands out with a certain air of mystery about its future. The sudden exit of Christian Horner — reportedly pushed out by higher-ups — has sparked various theories about what lies ahead for the Milton Keynes-based team. Recently, the paddock has been buzzing with possible scenarios:
The Verstappen family could take on a more central role within the team, making it even more focused on Max Verstappen going forward. Supporters of this theory believe Horner’s dismissal resulted from the Verstappen family gaining more influence inside Red Bull.
Christian Horner’s career as Red Bull team principal might simply have reached its natural conclusion. After the death of Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022 — the visionary who founded the energy drink company in 1984 — pressure on Horner increased significantly. While 2023 was a golden year for the team, scandals in 2024, including allegations of inappropriate behavior toward an employee (which he was later cleared of), coupled with a decline that began about 18 months ago, made it impossible for Horner to regain trust for the upcoming seasons.
These contexts have fueled rumors casting doubt on Max Verstappen’s future with the team. If Max stays, it is because he will have an even greater role without Horner. If he leaves, it will be because he sees no future in a team losing its key figures. Verstappen has often been linked to Mercedes, but recently he has shut down such speculation by affirming he has never considered leaving. He will continue racing for the Austrian team in 2026.
Verstappen is not exactly ecstatic
There is still one question without a clear answer — and perhaps there never will be: Were the pressures that led to Horner’s removal really pushed by the Verstappen family, or do they regret losing such an important figure within the team?
It is difficult to say with certainty. Meanwhile, Max’s words after the Belgian Grand Prix leave little room for interpretation. Whether routine or not, the Dutch driver appeared genuinely saddened: “The relationship between Horner and me will not change. For me, he is still like a second family,” he told The Guardian.
“We didn’t bond immediately, but watching the progress the team made under his leadership was incredible. I still remember the day we met in his office when I was racing in Formula 3, discussing the possibility of moving to Formula 2,” Verstappen added. He jumped directly from Formula 3 to Formula 1 during the 2014-2015 winter, starting his F1 career with Toro Rosso.
“What he managed to build with the team is truly extraordinary. To manage such a large organization like that, you have to be a person of exceptional talent and competence — qualities he brought to the team,” Max concluded in the interview with The Guardian.
Clearly, Verstappen is far from being overjoyed, and given recent performances, the reasons are apparent. Red Bull is surrounded by a complex and difficult-to-analyze mystery. Only time will reveal the full story behind recent events affecting the team and the true nature of its future.
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