Max Verstappen Tipped to Join Mercedes After Christian Horner’s Red Bull Exit
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Max Verstappen Backed for Shock Mercedes Move Following Horner’s Exit from Red Bull
In an exclusive interview with RacingNews365, former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert shared bold insights on the future of reigning World Champion Max Verstappen, following the recent departure of Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner.
Horner’s exit was officially announced on Wednesday, ending a two-decade-long tenure during which Red Bull secured multiple championships. His departure comes after 18 turbulent months, marked by internal investigations and mounting pressure—factors Herbert believes finally caught up with him.
“It’s not a surprise,” Herbert told RacingNews365. “When it first started, even Ford weren’t pleased with the rumors. He hung on for a while, but something like that never really goes away.”
The spotlight now shifts to Verstappen, with speculation intensifying about his potential switch to Mercedes. Herbert suggests that the Horner saga may have been influenced in part by Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, who has been outspoken in his disapproval of Horner's role.
“It sounds very much like Mercedes is where Max is heading,” Herbert added. “Given the unrest, it’s probably not a surprise how things have unfolded.”
Red Bull Facing Turbulent Times
Horner’s departure marks the sixth senior leadership change at Red Bull in just over two years. With key figures like Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley also moving on or stepping back, the team is now entering what Herbert calls a “precarious position.”
Red Bull’s RB21 has also drawn criticism, with performance inconsistencies raising concerns about their competitiveness. With Laurent Mekies now tasked with steadying the ship, the next few months could be critical for the team’s trajectory.
“Formula 1 success relies on more than just the car—it’s about the right people, direction, and motivation. All of that is being chipped away,” said Herbert.
A Frustrated Verstappen?
Verstappen’s long-term commitment to Red Bull now appears uncertain. As the team’s performance plateaus and internal struggles dominate headlines, Herbert believes the Dutch driver may be losing patience.
“Max wants to win races and championships,” he explained. “That momentum has been slowly slipping over the past year and a half—and it’s hard to see him staying happy in that situation.”
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