That said, there is no guarantee that Verstappen will stay, even after Horner, who was a thorn in the side of his entourage, was dismissed. According to De Telegraaf, the 51-year-old’s exit has not boosted Red Bull ’s chances of retaining their star driver.

Kimi Antonelli could be loaned to Alpine for the F1 2026 season if Mercedes opt to pair Max Verstappen with George Russell, it has been claimed. Verstappen has been heavily linked with a move to Mercedes over recent weeks despite being under contract with Red Bull until the end of the F1 2028 season.

The Max Verstappen and Mercedes frenzy got sent into overdrive after the Dutch driver's yacht was spotted near Toto Wolff's boat.