Ola Kallenius, the Mercedes chief executive, has reportedly approved the team’s move for Red Bull driver Max Verstappen for the F1 2026 season. Despite being officially under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, Verstappen has been heavily linked with a move to Mercedes over recent weeks.

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.