Martin Brundle 'confirms Max Verstappen exit decision' after Belgian Grand Prix chat

Sky Sports F1 pundit and co-commentator Martin Brundle believes that Max Verstappen is 'certain' to remain at Red Bull after the departure of Christian Horner, citing a 'conversation' he had in the Belgian Grand Prix paddock as evidence. Verstappen has been heavily linked with a blockbuster switch to Mercedes, with Toto Wolff yet to tie either George Russell or Kimi Antonelli down to new contracts.

With Red Bull drifting to fourth in the Constructors' Championship standings and the Silver Arrows on a steady upward trajectory, speculation has intensified in recent months. Perhaps fearing the departure of their star driver, Red Bull opted to sack long-serving team principal Horner after the British Grand Prix, bringing an end to a 20-year stay in Milton Keynes. According to Brundle, this might play a role in keeping Verstappen with the organisation.

"I think that (performance element) is part of it," Brundle told Sky Sports F1. "[On Thursday], Max was like: 'It is all about having a fast car, I just want a fast car,' and I think [Horner's sacking] means he will now stay.

"I'm certain he will now stay at Red Bull for 2026 and see what happens, a conversation I had last night seemed to confirm that. But the performance is not exactly diabolical, is it? With a wet Sunday here, he could win the grand prix, and the team's got momentum."

While Brundle is convinced that Horner's sacking is playing a role in keeping Verstappen with Red Bull, the reigning world champion rejected this theory on Thursday. "No, it doesn't really," he said at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

"People can have a difference of opinion, and I expect that to happen, because if everyone agrees, there is a problem. You need to have differences in opinion. Now we will work in a different direction, and I am excited about it, and I don't think it will matter at all for the decision over my future.

For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express F1 newsletter, or join our WhatsApp community here.

"The only thing that matters is that we work on the car and make it as fast as we can, and try and be more competitive this year, a little bit, but for sure with the new regulations."

While Verstappen is yet to guarantee his position within the team for the 2026 season, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff's comments after free practice on Friday hinted that the four-time world champion is unlikely to start the new technical regulations in the Silver Arrows' overalls.

"This is all a long shot, far-fetched," he said. "I want to stay with Kimi and George as it stands. Everything else is not realistic. If you have a Russell-Verstappen line-up, that's Prost-Senna [all over again]."