Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is rumored to be mulling a move to Mercedes, and now-ex-team boss Christian Horner admitted that it would be “embarrassing” if Mercedes didn’t have a better car than Red Bull next season.
After spending two years on top of the Formula 1 mountain, Red Bull is in a downward spiral, both on and off the track.
Mercedes, meanwhile, is reportedly making big gains in its power unit, which should set the team up for a big 2026 season.
Horner is aware of Red Bull’s downward trajectory and how good Mercedes will be in the coming season.
“Things go in cycles and sport goes in cycles. We’ve had two incredibly successful cycles in Formula 1 and what we want to do is build towards the next cycle,” Horner told the media, including Planet F1.
“Now, of course, we want that to be with Max, but we understand the pressure that there is next year with us coming in as a new power unit manufacturer.
“The challenge of that is enormous. But we’ve got a hugely capable group of people. We’ve invested significantly. We’ve got a great culture within the team.
“Who knows? To expect us to be ahead of Mercedes next year is [unrealistic]. It would be embarrassing for Mercedes if we were, or for any manufacturer.
“But I think we’re going to be in a competitive position, potentially even to where we are today relative to our other PU manufacturers. Maybe it won’t be in ’26, but ’27, ’28, and beyond, long term for Red Bull, 100 percent it is the right thing.”
While the team’s hierarchy on the grid next season is to be seen, it is clear that Horner’s team is falling apart on an internal basis, and now even he has been fired following a difficult few years at the helm.
Red Bull’s four consecutive Drivers’ Titles and two Constructors’ Titles since 2021 have papered over the cracks in the team’s hierarchy.
Now, the team is set to lose both titles this season, and the cracks are starting to show.
Amid the team’s turmoil, rumors and reports about Verstappen considering a move away from the team have swirled and appeared to signal unhappiness within the driver’s camp.
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