Max Verstappen considering quitting Red Bull 'more than ever' after Christian Horner exit

Max Verstappen is "very strongly thinking about leaving Red Bull" after Christian Horner was sacked as chief executive and team principal, Ralf Schumacher has claimed. Horner was axed on Wednesday after 20 years in charge of Red Bull Racing.

During his time in charge, Horner oversaw eight drivers' championship wins and six constructors' championship wins, with Verstappen responsible for four world title victories. However, Red Bull have struggled so far this season, with Verstappen currently 69 points behind leader Oscar Piastri.

And former F1 driver Schumacher believes Verstappen could also depart Red Bull, claiming that the Dutchman wants to leave "more than ever" after Horner's departure. "I think one thing has nothing to do with the other, that the two might not have been the best of friends," Schumacher told Sky Sports Germany.

"But that wasn't what Max was talking about. Max obviously wants to stay at Red Bull if at all possible, because that's where it all started, and he owes a lot to Red Bull. But I fear this valley that Red Bull is going through now will last a while.

"That usually takes - in Formula One history - two or three years. Now, of course, one thing could happen: new rules next year, and they'll find a great approach. I'm just lacking imagination, because [Pierre] Wache hasn't managed to make the car really drivable and good for two or one and a half years now.

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"So I still believe that Max is very strongly thinking about leaving Red Bull, and more than ever after this weekend." Schumacher's comments come after Mercedes chief Toto Wolff confirmed that they were considering a move for Verstappen.

Speaking at the Austrian Grand Prix last month, Wolff said: "As a team principal responsible for the best car brand in the world it is clear you’re exploring what a four-time world champion is going to do in the future.

"What we are trying to do in the team is be transparent. You can choose to hold things under wraps, or do what we've done in the last 20 years I've been here is putting it out there and saying this is the situation.

"These drivers are clever people and they talk to each other. I'm saying it how it is and there's no such thing as saying we are going to sign Max, because it's so far away that it's not realistic at that stage. So with George, we talk about everything."

Verstappen was also asked if talks were taking place with Mercedes and responded: "I don't think we need to talk about that. I don't know, do you want me to repeat what I said last year? I don't know. It's the same answer."

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