Max Verstappen’s manager fires warning why he could still leave after Red Bull sacked Christian Horner

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Red Bull have sacked Christian Horner from his role as their F1 team principal and CEO, in a move widely seen as a reaction to the threat of Max Verstappen joining Mercedes.

Gossip continues to bubble away that Verstappen is considering his future at Red Bull having seen the Milton Keynes squad regress from being the dominant force in 2023 to likely failing to win either title in 2025. Verstappen also won the 2024 drivers’ title against his car’s limits.

Red Bull also saw design icon Adrian Newey quit after growing annoyed with Horner playing down his role, plus the Briton’s fight for power with Helmut Marko. Jonathan Wheatley also joined Sauber and Rob Marshall went to McLaren, who are awaiting Will Courtenay’s arrival.

The various aspects have now added together, with news breaking this Wednesday that Red Bull have sacked Horner with immediate effect after 20 years. Laurent Mekies has replaced Horner as the team principal of Red Bull, with Alan Permane succeeding him at Racing Bulls.

Max Verstappen will ‘continue’ to consider his Red Bull future after Christian Horner was sacked

Horner has told Martin Brundle that Red Bull sacked him without offering a reason why the 51-year-old has been replaced. The decision follows Red Bull falling to a 288-point deficit to McLaren in the F1 constructors’ standings, with Verstappen 69 drift in the drivers’ standings.

It is even thought that Verstappen held a standoff with Red Bull GmbH CEO Oliver Mintzlaff to sack Horner, with the 27-year-old’s camp increasingly persistent that the Briton had to be relieved of his command. Verstappen and Horner had been clashing for more than a year.

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

Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen has now reacted to the news that Red Bull have sacked Horner, and insists it is up to the team to share the reasons for their decision. But he also notes that Horner leaving Red Bull will not stop Verstappen from considering his future.

Vermeulen told De Telegraaf: “We were informed in advance by Red Bull’s management that this decision had been made. It’s up to Red Bull to provide further explanation regarding the reasons. We continue to look at the sporting side and are looking for more performance so we can return to the top. In that respect, nothing will change.”

Max Verstappen has already said yes to leaving Red Bull and joining Mercedes in 2026

The news that Red Bull have sacked Horner has emerged following two disappointing home races for them. Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli took Verstappen out of the Austrian Grand Prix, and Red Bull using a low downforce rear wing cost him in the British Grand Prix.

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

Yuki Tsunoda also continues to struggle to score points with the RB21, with the 25-year-old claiming a mere seven in his 10 rounds as a Red Bull driver. He even finished 16th and last at the Red Bull Ring plus 15th and last at Silverstone, to now be without a point for five rounds.

Mercedes driver George Russell also sparked further rumours that Verstappen is considering leaving Red Bull at the Austrian GP. Russell revealed that Mercedes are in ongoing talks with Verstappen, with the Silver Arrows still to sign either of their drivers up for the 2026 season.

It is also said that Verstappen has accepted an offer from Mercedes to leave Red Bull, with a verbal agreement in place between the four-time reigning champion and Toto Wolff. It now remains to be seen if Mekies and Mintzlaff can persuade the Dutchman to stay at Red Bull.