Red Bull have sacked Christian Horner from his role as their team principal and CEO, but his exit may still not be enough to stop Max Verstappen from joining Mercedes.

The precise reason or even reasons why Red Bull have chosen to sack Horner after 20 years at their helm remains to be seen. Yet the 51-year-old’s departure from Milton Keynes comes at a time when Red Bull are fighting to keep hold of Verstappen amid their declining results.

Verstappen has won the F1 drivers’ championship in each of the last four seasons. However, the title seems set to be heading to McLaren in 2025, with the Dutchman now trailing Oscar Piastri by 69 points and Lando Norris by 61 after the first 12 of the 24 rounds due to be held.

So, the risk of the 27-year-old jumping ship was likely a leading reason for why Red Bull have sacked Horner, with it said that Verstappen has agreed a deal to join Mercedes. The 65-time Grand Prix winner has release clauses in his deal through 2028 tied to the drivers’ standings.

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Red Bull could let Max Verstappen name their F1 team to stop him from joining Mercedes

Red Bull are desperate to try to stop Verstappen from joining Mercedes, with the Dutchman seemingly the only driver able to deliver results in their cars. Verstappen has secured 165 of Red Bull’s 172 points to date in the 2025 season after also scoring 74% of their total in 2024.

So, Formula1.it now reports that Red Bull could even let Verstappen become a title sponsor for one of their two teams. Horner’s presence at Red Bull was ‘highly inconvenient’ for such an idea originating in the paddock, yet his departure has made the prospect more plausible.

Making Verstappen a title sponsor for Red Bull Racing or letting him name their sister team, currently operating as Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, would allow Red Bull to capitalise on the Dutchman’s global popularity. It could even prove influential in Verstappen deciding to stay.

Allowing Verstappen to add his name to Red Bull or Racing Bulls’ identity would represent a ‘sensational twist’. But Horner’s exit has now made the idea which emerged in the paddock last week at the British Grand Prix more feasible, as his exit now removes the likely hurdle.

Red Bull sacking Christian Horner offers no guarantees that Max Verstappen will now stay

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Red Bull may need to pull out all the stops to convince Verstappen that his future should still remain in Milton Keynes, even after the team sacked Horner. The Briton’s departure after 20 years in charge will not offer Red Bull any guarantees that Verstappen will fulfil his contract.

Verstappen will base his decision on much more than simply having a new boss, having seen Red Bull promote Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies as Horner’s replacement. Next term’s regulation changes will likely have a much bigger impact on the Dutchman’s decision.

The 2026 F1 engine and technical regulations will mark the biggest overhaul of the rulebook yet. And while Mercedes are expected to have the best 2026 engine with the new rules with 50/50 electrical/combustion power, Red Bull may have one of the worst 2026 rules engines.