Overview

• Christian Horner was removed as Team Principal and CEO of Red Bull Racing following a series of technical setbacks and internal conflicts.
• Max Verstappen has entered direct talks with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff to explore invoking his contract’s exit clause before the July 31 deadline.
• Verstappen’s deal allows him to leave Red Bull at the end of July if he finishes outside the top three in the World Championship standings.
• Mercedes has drafted a plan to retain George Russell in its works team by placing junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Alpine under Mercedes power units for 2026.
• Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko and pundit Martin Brundle have suggested that Horner’s departure could make Verstappen more inclined to remain with Red Bull.