Red Bull Chaos: Horner Axed, Tsunoda Dumped, and Verstappen Set to Join Mercedes in Shocking F1 Shake-Up
Red Bull Racing is in the midst of a dramatic restructuring after a bombshell series of events that have shaken the team to its core. Just days after the sensational departure of longtime team principal Christian Horner, the team has now moved to part ways with one of its drivers — a decision that could signal a full-scale overhaul ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Horner, who led Red Bull for over two decades and helped steer them to multiple championships, was recently “relieved of his operational duties.” His dismissal comes amid rising tensions behind the scenes and a noticeable drop in on-track dominance. While the team still boasts wins this season — including two from reigning world champion Max Verstappen — Red Bull no longer appears invincible. Verstappen, currently sitting third in the drivers’ standings, is poised to lose his title to one of the rising McLaren stars, either Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris.
Now, the fallout has continued with Red Bull deciding to drop Yuki Tsunoda, a move that adds further uncertainty to the team’s future. Tsunoda may not be out of the sport for long, though, as he’s reportedly held discussions with Cadillac, who are set to join the F1 grid in 2026. He’s also been linked with a potential switch to Aston Martin.
With Verstappen rumored to be in talks with rivals Mercedes, Red Bull could enter next season with an entirely new driver pairing. Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar, who has impressed in his debut season, is being touted as a frontrunner to graduate to the main team. Fellow reserve driver Liam Lawson is also under serious consideration.
These moves could create space at Racing Bulls for 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad, a standout Red Bull junior talent in Formula 2. If promoted, Lindblad would become the fifth British driver on the F1 grid, joining Lando Norris, Sir Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Ollie Bearman.
The upheaval at Red Bull comes at a critical point in the season, with the Belgian Grand Prix scheduled for July 27. As the sport braces for a new era, Red Bull may be entering the most uncertain phase in its storied history.
