Following Christian Horner, Max Verstappen could be the next name to leave the game – Red Bull is tearing apart its own empire. The Red Bull Racing empire, once the gold standard of dominance and unity in Formula 1, appears to be fracturing from within. Following the months-long controversy surrounding Team Principal Christian Horner, whispers have now evolved into resounding murmurs that Max Verstappen – the three-time World Champion and Red Bull’s crown jewel – may be the next to jump ship. If true, this could mark the most dramatic shift in the sport’s modern history and the beginning of the end for a dynasty built on raw speed, ruthless strategy, and corporate precision.
Christian Horner, the charismatic figurehead of Red Bull Racing since its inception in 2005, became the subject of internal investigations earlier this year after allegations of inappropriate behavior emerged from within the team. While the internal inquiry ultimately cleared him, the situation left a lingering stench that many inside the paddock believe has irreparably damaged trust. Red Bull GmbH’s handling of the matter – opaque, inconsistent, and deeply political – created factions within the team, notably between the UK-based operations and the Austrian corporate headquarters. And now, it seems the cost of protecting Horner might include the very talent that made Red Bull invincible.
Max Verstappen’s loyalty has always been to the performance of the car and the stability of the racing environment. But recent behind-the-scenes drama, coupled with tensions involving his father Jos Verstappen and long-time ally Helmut Marko, has placed him in an impossible position. While Verstappen has publicly maintained his focus on racing, insiders suggest his camp has been exploring exit clauses in his contract, which technically binds him to Red Bull until 2028. With Mercedes and Aston Martin reportedly circling like sharks sensing blood in the water, the idea of Verstappen leaving no longer sounds like fantasy—it feels like inevitability.
The Horner saga has exposed more than just internal HR issues; it’s exposed Red Bull’s vulnerability to its own success. For years, the team functioned with military efficiency, buoyed by Adrian Newey’s engineering brilliance, Verstappen’s driving genius, and the seamless integration between team leadership and technical execution. Now, that unity is fraying. Newey himself is rumored to be disillusioned by the politics overshadowing performance. If Verstappen departs, others will follow. It’s the kind of mass exodus that no amount of Red Bull marketing can cover up.
Moreover, Red Bull’s corporate leadership in Austria has taken a much more active – and some say intrusive – role since the death of founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022. The power vacuum left behind has opened doors for boardroom maneuvering, with different factions pulling in different directions. The result is a team caught in a civil war, with egos clashing off the track while competitors close the gap on it. Ferrari’s resurgence, McLaren’s consistency, and Mercedes’ determination mean Red Bull cannot afford even a moment of internal weakness. And yet, weakness is all it seems to be showing.
What makes Verstappen’s potential exit all the more devastating is that he is Red Bull. His journey from teenage prodigy to one of the most dominant drivers in history is entwined with the team’s DNA. Letting him go would be a self-inflicted wound of monumental proportions. But perhaps the damage has already been done. The Verstappen camp is known for playing the long game, and if their silence in the wake of recent chaos is any indication, wheels are already in motion.
Some speculate that Verstappen could walk away as early as the end of 2025, aligning with a potential new era of car regulations. Others believe he could trigger a performance clause if Red Bull’s internal dysfunction affects results on the track. Either way, it’s clear that the invincibility of Red Bull is a myth rapidly unraveling. They’re no longer the hunter; they’re the hunted—and the wolves are already at the gate.
In the end, Red Bull may look back on 2024 not as another year of dominance, but as the beginning of their downfall. An empire built on speed and success is now being undone by pride, politics, and poor judgment. If Max Verstappen walks, he won’t just be leaving a team—he’ll be leaving the very kingdom he helped build. And Red Bull? They’ll have no one left to blame but themselves.
