Red Bull Formula 1 boss Christian Horner believes it is still Max Verstappen’s “intention” to stay with the team in 2026 and that speculation of a move to Mercedes has been intentionally fuelled by George Russell.
Verstappen’s representatives have held discussions with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff about a potential switch should the four-time world champion be able, and want, to escape early from a contract that runs until the end of 2028.
Wolff’s interest in Verstappen has been ongoing for over a year - and is a legacy of a failed attempt to sign him as a junior driver a decade ago - but the topic was revived last week when Russell said ongoing Verstappen discussions were behind a delay in Russell getting a new Mercedes deal.
Russell is out of contract at the end of 2025 despite enjoying a very strong F1 season so far and expressing his clear desire to stay with Mercedes - and Horner said he believes that has played a part in Russell pushing a narrative.
Asked to clarify if Verstappen will definitely be a Red Bull driver in 2026, Horner said: “With any driver's contract, there is an element of a performance mechanism. And of course, that exists within Max's contract.
“His absolute intention is that he will be there and driving for us in 2026.
“It's inevitable that he's of huge interest to any other team in the pitlane.
“Actually, probably George triggered all this speculation probably trying to leverage his own situation and force clarity.
“You can understand [that] because he's driven a very good season as well this year.
“Inevitably there will always be speculation. I think the most important thing is the clarity that exists between Max and the team and that's very clear.”
Horner’s reference to Verstappen’s “intention” to stay echoes his own comments in the past when it came to supporting Red Bull’s second driver - often saying it was the team’s intention or plan to continue with, for example, Sergio Perez only for that not to be the case in the end.
Red Bull is aware the prospect of losing Verstappen exists, although Horner continued to be coy on who could replace him.
He emphasised, again, the importance of “the relationship between the driver and team”, and that “everyone is very clear on where we’re at” - but also admitted “you always have to have in mind that the team always has to keep looking and investing in the future”.
“Hopefully that won't be for several years to come, but you never know,” he said.
Sat alongside McLaren boss Zak Brown in the Friday FIA press conference at the British Grand Prix, Horner joked that McLaren’s championship leader Oscar Piastri could be a Plan B and “it’s all as subjective as that” - something he is clearly being evasive over.
“We’re very focused on our current drivers and the relationship. Max has a contract until 2028,” he said.
“He’s made it quite clear he would like to finish his career in a Red Bull car from start to finish, I think that’s quite special and unique for him.
“That’s what we’re focused on, we’re just ignoring the noise and focusing on the areas we need to improve and how to do that.”
Should Verstappen go to Mercedes, though, Russell would presumably be available - assuming it is not youngster Kimi Antonelli who is moved aside.
Asked if Red Bull considers Russell a viable alternative, Horner said: “It's remarkable that George is still on the market.
“We haven't engaged in any discussion with George. He's obviously pretty confident that he's going to get to retain where he is.
“But we've got strength and depth within our team. You can see the Racing Bulls drivers, can see [Arvid] Lindblad that we're running today. And ‘26 is going to be a transformational year.
“It's the biggest rule change in Formula 1, probably in the last 50 years, where both chassis and power unit is being introduced at the same time. Nobody with hand on heart can know what the pecking order is going to be.
“There's an awful lot of subjectiveness to 2026 and it'll only be really this time next year that you'll have a clear indication of what that pecking order is.
“There are no guarantees that jumping into a Mercedes car would automatically be a better proposition.”
