Max Verstappen is facing a “dilemma” ahead of the F1 2026 season with the departure of Christian Horner unlikely to result in a more competitive car at Red Bull. That is the belief of former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, who reckons a move to Mercedes represents Verstappen’s best best of winning the F1 2026 title.

Mercedes have been heavily linked with a move for Max Verstappen, who could find a way out of his Red Bull contract, with Toto Wolff's superior green lighting the move

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.