Red Bull boss Christian Horner has risked reopening his feud with one of his rival bosses after he named the driver Red Bull have already identified as their Max Verstappen replacement.
The Dutchman has been heavily linked with a move to Mercedes in 2026 and ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday. While he said he remains committed to the team, Horner confirmed the four-time world champion does have a performance clause written into his contract – potentially allowing him to leave if Red Bull’s season ends in failure.
While he is confident of keeping Verstappen with the team for a 10th season, speculation persists that he could depart and link up with his nemesis Toto Wolff. But the 51-year-old has a trick up his own sleeve to soften the blow – and McLaren boss Zak Brown would not have been happy to hear it.
When asked by a reporter if he had a ‘Plan B’ should Verstappen leave, Horner hesitated and said: “You know… Oscar Piastri,” before chuckling to himself. That comment was all the more astonishing because McLaren CEO Brown was sitting right next to him at the time.
However, it could have been made firmly with his tongue in cheek, given that Horner would have been acutely aware that declaring his apparent interest in Piastri would antagonise the American, with whom he has a strained relationship.
He quickly added: “It’s all as subjective as you know. I think that we’re very focused on our current drivers and the relationship. Max has got a contract until 2028. He’s made it quite clear that 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.
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“That’s what we’re focused on. We’re just ignoring the noise and focusing on the areas we know where we need to improve and, and how to do that.”
Horner sends subtle Verstappen message
Horner, who has also faced questions over his future at Red Bull after two decades with the Milton Keynes outfit, sent a subtle message to Verstappen – indirectly suggesting that it would be a gamble to predict Mercedes will lead from the front when the new engine regulations are introduced next year.
“2026 is going to be a transformational year. It’s the biggest rule change in Formula One, probably in the last 50 years where both chassis and power unit is being introduced at the same time,” he said.
“Nobody with hand on heart can [say] what the pecking order is going to be, it could be either one of these gentlemen sat either side of me [Zak Brown or Andy Cowell]. It could be Ferrari, it could be Mercedes, it could be it could be anyone.
“So I think 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 that pecking order is.
“There are no guarantees that that jumping into a Mercedes car would automatically be a better proposition.”
