Christian Horner now trying to ‘make an offer’ for 20-podium driver with Max Verstappen’s future hanging in the balance

Follow us on Google Discover

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner will be very concerned right now.

Max Verstappen looks increasingly unlikely to win the drivers’ championship, and the question marks over the driver in the second garage are increasing at every race.

Yuki Tsunoda had a torrid Austrian Grand Prix, and Christian Horner admitted after the race that the Japanese driver was bereft of confidence.

Tsunoda’s position on the grid is under pressure, and while Red Bull will do everything in their power to keep Verstappen, it’s understandable that he’s beginning to assess his options.

Verstappen is 61 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, and Red Bull are showing no signs of making the necessary improvement to catch the Australian.

Mercedes are being linked with signing Verstappen and have held off offering George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli a new contract until they know what the four-time world champion is doing.

It means Horner needs to start considering his options if Verstappen does decide to move on, and journalist Felix Gorner believes he’s now preparing to make an offer for a rival driver on the grid.

READ MORE: Know all about Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with net worth to wife

Christian Horner trying to ‘make an offer’ for George Russell if Max Verstappen leaves Red Bull

Gorner was speaking to Sport.de after the Austrian Grand Prix about the Formula 1 driver market.

He believes that Verstappen already has one foot in a Mercedes cockpit for next season, and speaking about who could replace him, he said: “If the move goes ahead, however, there will also be a domino effect because Red Bull will have to reposition itself.

“It’s no wonder they’re simultaneously trying to make Russell an offer, essentially taking him away from Mercedes in a ring swap.

“Talks are also underway between Russell and Christian Horner. But we’re not there yet.

“The star signing will initially be Verstappen. He could be driving for Mercedes in 2026 under a lucky star. His exit clauses make this possible.

“His team, and indeed he himself, are so far behind in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships that he can trigger the clauses to get out of his contract, which runs until 2028.

“Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar is a driver who could replace Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull. This has been speculated about for some time. His performances at Racing Bulls are good.”

READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height

George Russell could become the new Carlos Sainz if Max Verstappen joins Mercedes

One of the most fascinating aspects of Formula 1 is the scarcity of available race seats and the impact that can have on the drivers already on the grid.

Alpine are considering dropping Franco Colapinto, but the other teams on the grid don’t appear keen to cancel any of their drivers’ contracts before they come to an end.

This means that if Verstappen does join Mercedes, Russell’s options would be very limited.

The British driver, who has 20 podium finishes and four wins to his name, would almost have to take Red Bull’s offer to remain in a competitive car next season.

Aston Martin are considering a move for Russell, but also have a real interest in Verstappen if Mercedes can’t get a deal over the line.

At this point last season, plenty of drivers had already announced they would be switching teams for 2025.

The driver market hasn’t quite hit the same heights in preparation for 2026, but Verstappen or Russell switching teams would be a fascinating first move.