F1 fans are all saying one thing about Max Verstappen’s Red Bull future after Christian Horner sacking

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Formula 1 fans have reacted to the bombshell dropped by Red Bull Racing on Wednesday that Christian Horner has left the Milton Keynes-based team with immediate effect.

Horner’s successor at Red Bull has already been named, but the change in management still poses the question of where Max Verstappen will be racing following the conclusion of the 2025 season.

The Verstappen to Mercedes rumours have been rife in recent months, with fans, pundits and teams alike keen to know where the four-time World Champion will set up shop if he does leave the Austrian constructor.

Reportedly, Verstappen is eager to work with Peter Bonnington, which has further fuelled the idea of the Dutchman heading for the exit.

F1 fans think Max Verstappen is next out the door at Red Bull

In a post on X following confirmed reports of Horner’s sacking, Tom Bellingham, the host of P1 with Matt and Tommy, posed the question, “What now for Max Verstappen?”

F1 fans came together to offer their opinions, with the majority of them seeing the sacking as the first domino to fall before Verstappen’s exit, with one fan writing, “Definitely jumping to Mercedes IMO [in my opinion] – Horner’s sacking kind of paves the way to make this happen.”

One fan posed the idea of the once sensational, now semi-realistic, idea of, “Imagine: Hamilton and Horner at Ferrari. Verstappen and Toto at Mercedes.”

Another F1 fan thinks the four-time World Champion has already decided on his future, resulting in Horner’s departure, stating, “I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve already lost Max, and this has been the tipping point for Horner getting the sack.”

“Jos got his way and will still use the exit clause against Red Bull. Nothing changes, just the head of the team,” one comment read, while another fan suggested: “Toto is going to love this!”

The overwhelming response suggests that many people think that the news doesn’t change the fact that Verstappen will look for a way out of Red Bull, but a few fans believe this could have been a vital decision in keeping the four-time world champion.

Some F1 fans are hopeful of Max Verstappen staying put at Red Bull

On the flip side, some F1 fans see Horner’s sacking as something Verstappen was hoping to see to keep him in the Red Bull garage for at least another season.

One fan wrote, “He stays, it’s no coincidence Mercedes were chasing him and it gave Max the upper hand to say Horner or me.”

Another isn’t sure if Horner’s failure to keep the Dutchman loyal is the reason for his termination, “I think Horner going is either the last throw of the dice to try and convince Max to stay, or talks have progressed so far that Horner is being sacked for letting him fall between their fingers.”

The topic of Verstappen’s future is sure to be a massive talking point until we get a concrete resolution of where he will be next season.

With the mid-season break and F1’s ‘silly season’ just around the corner, fans are already anticipating a big move on the cards for the Red Bull man.