The unexpected departure of Christian Horner as a team boss of Red Bull Racing has shaken the Formula 1 world and placed the future of Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, in a new light. Analysts from Sky Sports have expressed themselves about the possible consequences of this development for Verstappen and his chances of the world title in 2025. The consensus is clear: Horner’s departure, combined with the current performance of Red Bull, has placed Verstappen in a challenging position, with his chances of significantly shrinking at a fifth title.
The 2025 season has become a disappointment for Red Bull. Halfway through the year the team is only fourth in the constructors championship, at a backlog of 288 points at leader McLaren. Verstappen, although still a force to take into account, is third in the drivers’ classification, 69 points behind leader Oscar Piastri. His two victories in Japan and Imola were impressive, but the analysts point out that Verstappen got the most out of a undersigned car. The RB21, this season’s car, is struggling with technical problems and lack of speed, which the team is troubling in a competition where McLaren and Mercedes set the tone. Red Bull’s inability to place a reliable second driver next to Verstappen, especially after the disappointing performance of Yuki Tsunoda and the short -term action of Liam Lawson, has more difficult for the situation.
Horner’s exit, who has been at the helm of Red Bull since 2005, marks the end of an era. Under his leadership, Red Bull grew from a newcomer to a dominant force in Formula 1, with seven constructors and six riders championships, including the four titles of Verstappen. However, the past eighteen months have been turbulent. A power struggle within the team, fueled after the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022, brought Horner into conflict with influential figures within the organization. The tensions with Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, were also publicly known. Jos already warned last year that the team could implode if Horner would stay on, a prediction that now seems to be partially coming out.
According to Sky Sports analysts, Horner’s departure may have a stabilizing effect on Verstappen itself. His relationship with Horner was professional but not always cordial, and the appointment of Laurent Mekies as a new CEO is seen as a step that the Verstappens may make satisfied. Mekies, from Red Bull’s Sister Team Racing Bulls, is considered a capable leader, but the analysts doubt his ability to turn Red Bull’s downward spiral in the short term. With twelve races to go in 2025, it remains theoretically possible for Verstappen to fight for the title, but the backlog on Piastri and the supremacy of McLaren make this a tough task.
The speculation about Verstappen’s future has increased after Horner’s departure. Despite his contract until 2028 at Red Bull, rumors about a possible switch to Mercedes will continue. Toto Wolff, the team boss of Mercedes, has shown openly interest in Verstappen, while George Russell’s future seems uncertain to the team. However, Sky Sports emphasizes that Verstappen’s loyalty to Red Bull, where he has spent his entire F1 career, will not just disappear. Nevertheless, some analysts suggest that the upcoming changes in regulations in 2026, combined with Red Bull’s collaboration with Ford, may have to consider looking for a more competitive environment elsewhere.
Another factor that touches the analysts is the exodus of key figures at Red Bull. Designer Adrian Newey left for Aston Martin, technical director Rob Marshall for McLaren and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley for Sauber. This brain drain has weakened Red Bull’s technical capacity, which further limits Verstappen’s opportunities. The analysts point out that, despite his exceptional talent, Verstappen depends on a competitive car to keep dominating.
Looking ahead, the Sky Sports experts Verstappen still see as one of the biggest drivers in the history of sport, but 2025 seems to be a transition year. His focus will probably be on maximizing results with the current car, while considering his options for 2026 and then. The question is whether Red Bull will find the way up again under Mekies, or whether Verstappen will continue his hunt for more titles elsewhere. For the time being, the Dutchman remains a beacon of consistency in a team that is struggling with change.
