Red Bull arrives at a race weekend for the first time without Christian Horner, after he was sacked by the team following the British GP. The Austrian team has appointed Laurent Mekies as his replacement, and one of his key jobs is to keep Max Verstappen at Milton Keynes.
Verstappen has been linked with a move to Mercedes, with George Russell adding to the speculation when he claimed Max and the Silver Arrows were in talks back in June. Now, when speaking to the media ahead of the Belgian GP, Verstappen has indicated that Horner’s dismissal has not impacted his decision on where he will drive next season.
Max Verstappen says Christian Horner’s exit doesn’t mean he will stay at Red Bull
Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, reportedly had tension behind the scenes at Red Bull. When the media asked Verstappen if Horner’s departure meant he was more likely to stay at Red Bull, Max replied: “No, it doesn’t really“.
The Dutchman continued: “We will work in a different direction, and I am excited about it. I don’t think it will matter at all for the decision over my future.
“The only thing that matters is that we work on the car and make it as fast as we can, and try and be more competitive this year, a little bit, but for sure with the new regulations.”
😱| Max Verstappen speaking to the media:
“I mainly want to look ahead, but I’ll always have a good relationship with Christian [Horner]. It will not have an impact on my decision for next year’s seat”#F1 #BelgianGP https://t.co/TE532Flznr
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) July 24, 2025
Verstappen was then asked to further comment on his future. The four-time world champion added: “I am happy with where I am at, and the target was that when I signed my deal [to 2028], I would drive here until the end of my career.”
Verstappen’s comments indicate that he is happy to remain at Red Bull next season. There is no rush for Verstappen to change teams, as nobody knows who will have the best car next year. A move to another team would be a gamble with the new regulations for 2026. Mercedes is predicted to have the best engine, but it is still too early to call. Verstappen can wait and see who is the best, and then decide the best options for 2027.
What are Max Verstappen’s options if he decides to move?
Any team on the grid would want a driver of Max Verstappen’s calibre in their team. However, there are only two likely destinations the Dutchman would choose. The most obvious choice would be Mercedes.
Mercedes has held concrete talks with Verstappen, according to Sky Italia. It has also been reported that the top brass at Mercedes has sanctioned to pay Verstappen’s contract buyout fee, in the region of 100 million euros. They have also not renewed either of their drivers’ contracts in case the Dutchman becomes available.
Aston Martin Looking to Sign Max Verstappen After Adrian Newey Announcment
The other option could be Aston Martin. Former Red Bull design legend Adrian Newey has made the switch to the Silverstone-based team. Newey designed the cars which helped Verstappen to championship glory. Max might want the chance to link up with the Brit once more.
Another connection to Aston Martin is Honda. The Japanese manufacturer also powered Verstappen to his championship wins. Linking up with known and reliable factors might help Aston Martin sway Verstappen their way.
But where do you think Max Verstappen will drive in 2026? Will he bide his time and wait for a move in 2027? Or will he see out his Red Bull contract? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
