Verstappen currently holds third in the standings with an 18-point advantage over Russell. A recent report claimed that Verstappen is close to reaching an agreement to join Mercedes for the F1 2026 season with the deal gaining the approval of Mercedes chief executive Ola Kallenius.

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.

Ex-Ferrari star Carlos Sainz has opened up about how it really felt to be replaced by Lewis Hamilton at the iconic F1 team. Haas have announced a debut at the wheel of an F1 car for a new racing star among their ranks.

There’s nothing new about the Verstappen to Mercedes rumour, which began last year as Toto Wolff publicly courted the Red Bull driver as a replacement for the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton. Wolff went on to sign Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli as Russell’s F1 2025 team-mate, but both drivers are out of contract at the end of this season.

With both drivers signed-up for F1 2026, team boss Andy Cowell spoke of the positive effect which this is having on their preparations for F1’s new era – Aston Martin a team to watch – potentially closing an avenue for Russell, who is looking to secure his future on the grid.

That's because of rumours linking four-time world champion Max Verstappen with a stunning switch to Mercedes, after both Russell and Toto Wolff confirmed at the British Grand Prix that talks had taken place of that nature.