Max Verstappen’s camp has dismissed one Christian Horner rumour as ‘nonsense’ after Red Bull exit

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There has been a lot of speculation about why Red Bull Racing decided to part ways with Christian Horner after the British Grand Prix.

It was announced last week that Laurent Mekies would take over as Red Bull team principal after Christian Horner’s 20-year tenure came to an end.

Red Bull haven’t provided an official reason why Horner was relieved of his team principal duties, but the team’s performance has been below expectations this season.

The constructors’ championship makes for grim reading, with Red Bull sitting 288 points behind leaders McLaren.

Max Verstappen is still in contention to win a fifth consecutive drivers’ title, but the chances of him catching Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris look very slim right now.

It’s no surprise that Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull future is under threat after scoring just seven points in his 10 Grand Prix weekends since his Racing Bulls promotion.

Horner has overseen key personnel such as Adrian Newey, Rob Marshall and Jonathan Wheatley all depart over the past two years.

Verstappen’s camp has concerns about their replacements, but one theory about why the 51-year-old was dismissed has been ruled out by ‘all parties’.

READ MORE: All to know on sacked Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with net worth

‘All parties’ rule out Max Verstappen camp forcing Christian Horner out to secure his Red Bull future

A report from the Dutch outlet De Telegraaf has shared more stories about the stunning news coming out of Milton Keynes ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

It’s believed that Verstappen’s position on leaving the team hasn’t really changed since Horner’s exit was confirmed.

Verstappen has a contract until the end of the 2028 season, but there are various get-out clauses that he could theoretically try and use to force a move if he wishes to do so.

It’s believed that the four-time world champion is having ‘second thoughts’ about his future, with Verstappen heavily linked with a move to Mercedes.

Talks have taken place with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, but nothing has progressed in terms of a contract being offered or even agreed.

Verstappen’s future will be known very soon, with the summer break after the Hungarian Grand Prix typically when drivers confirm their futures for the following campaign.

It’s been reported that rumours suggesting Verstappen’s camp wanted Horner out to commit his future at Red Bull have been described as ‘nonsense’ by ‘all parties’, which includes Verstappen’s camp.

De Telegraaf reports that Red Bull’s leadership team are still ‘terrified’ that Verstappen will move on, as it leaves them with their most difficult driver conundrum since entering Formula 1.

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

What would Red Bull do if Max Verstappen left at the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season?

Verstappen is most likely to join Mercedes if he leaves Red Bull, creating a dilemma for Wolff.

It’s been suggested that George Russell is most likely to lose his seat to Verstappen, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli being retained.

Therefore, the most logical step would be for Red Bull to approach the British driver, and Horner previously held chats with Russell over a potential move.

However, the likes of Carlos Sainz or Alex Albon could theoretically be bought out of their contracts at a push, and Red Bull have a host of young drivers they could potentially promote.

Whether a combination of Tsunoda, and then one of Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson or even Arvid Lindblad is what Red Bull want is another matter.

It means that a move for Russell is almost essential if Verstappen goes, but then he would have to try and find a way to drive a car that has been designed solely for the Dutchman over the years.