BREAKING: Red bull Confirms Unexpected Max Verstappen Rep…..Read more
Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has revealed that the outfit is already preparing for a world without Max Verstappen, despite the Dutch driver’s unwavering loyalty for now. While Verstappen is under contract through 2028, there are performance-based exit clauses, and Horner admits the team must consider the future—even if it’s “several years” away .
Horner confirmed that although Red Bull hopes to retain Verstappen “in 2026,” he acknowledged that every leading team will undoubtedly bid for the already four-time world champion. Mercedes’ continued interest has been publicly admitted by both Red Bull and Mercedes bosses ().
As the sport approaches the major technical overhaul in 2026, Red Bull will debut its own power units—a risky shift expected to put them behind Mercedes initially. Horner conceded that “it would be embarrassing if Mercedes weren’t ahead,” but emphasized that Red Bull is heavily investing for long-term competitiveness .
In a cheeky aside, Horner even named Oscar Piastri—McLaren’s current championship leader—as a hypothetical Verstappen replacement, jokingly admitting Piastri’s talent is hard to ignore . While no formal discussions have taken place, Horner’s comment highlights the calibre of drivers circling Red Bull.
Ultimately, Horner underscores Red Bull’s guiding philosophy: “Sport goes in cycles.” The team must build a robust foundation—cars, power units, and people—to outlast any individual superstar . And though speculation abounds, Horner insists, internally, Max Verstappen is fully committed to finishing his career at Red Bull, even as rival interest intensifies .
