Martin Brundle shares his ‘gut feeling’ on which team Max Verstappen will race for in 2026 after Christian Horner exit

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Red Bull Racing decided to part ways with Christian Horner on Wednesday, sending shockwaves around the world of Formula 1.

Christian Horner had been at the helm of Red Bull for 20 years, overseeing 14 championship wins in the process.

However, the 2025 F1 season has highlighted just how far Red Bull have slipped back compared to their closest rivals.

Max Verstappen has done a phenomenal job in managing to win two races at Suzuka and Imola, and his pole position lap at Silverstone was superb.

However, one of the biggest talking points of the year has been Verstappen’s future and whether he’ll still be a Red Bull driver next season.

Verstappen has a get-out clause in his Red Bull contract, and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff hasn’t hidden his admiration for the four-time world champion.

Mercedes have been closely linked with a move for Verstappen, as both George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli are out of contract for 2026.

Sky Sports commentator and pundit Martin Brundle has now had his say on whether he believes the 27-year-old will be racing next season.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Martin Brundle says his ‘gut feeling’ is Max Verstappen will stay at Red Bull next season

Brundle was a guest on The F1 Show after the news that Horner had been sacked by Red Bull broke.

When asked about the future of both Verstappen and Horner, he said: “For whatever reason, they’ve decided that Christian’s not the man to lead them into the next phase, that Laurent Mekies is and other people they’ll no doubt put around him.

“So, it’s just odd, this is a strange time to do it and a strange urgency, I would say to that.

“We don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors, but I do know that Team Verstappen were not happy with him there, and does that mean Max is more likely to stay now or less likely to stay?

“My gut feeling is it means he’s more likely to stay in the team for next year, regardless of what kind of exit clause he might have in his contract.

“It’s a complex business, and I completely agree with what was said earlier on. Christian will now turn up in another team somewhere as a part-owner or a team boss.

“I have no doubt about that, it doesn’t mean he’s leaving Formula 1, I’d be pretty sure.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Christian Horner coy on Max Verstappen’s Red Bull future before exit

Horner was constantly asked about Verstappen’s future during his final months in charge of the team.

Verstappen’s contract currently runs until the end of the 2028 season, but whether he fulfils that obligation is another matter.

F1 Oversteer understands Aston Martin are still keen on Verstappen, but they appear to be less likely than Mercedes to secure his signature.

Horner was reluctant to give a definitive answer on Verstappen’s future during the British Grand Prix weekend, even though he suggested that in private, the Dutchman had given him assurances that he wasn’t going anywhere.

His exit has led to two theories emerging, that Verstappen’s camp demanded Horner’s sacking to consider staying at Red Bull.

Or, alternatively, Horner has overseen Verstappen deciding to leave Red Bull for another team, and this is the result of that move happening.