Max Verstappen's family member drops huge bombshell to leave podcast host stunned after Christian Horner sacking

A subordinate of Max Verstappen's household has dropped a immense bombshell aft Christian Horner's daze Red Bull departure.

On Wednesday, shockwaves were sent crossed the satellite of F1 aft it was confirmed that Horner had near his roles arsenic squad main and CEO of Red Bull Racing.

The 51-year-old was swiftly replaced by Laurent Mekies, who was squad main astatine Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.

Reacting to Horner's abrupt departure, reigning satellite champion and Red Bull superstar Verstappen paid tribute connected societal media.

The Dutchman wrote: "From my archetypal contention win, to 4 satellite championships, we person shared unthinkable successes. Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian!"

Over the past fewer weeks, Verstappen has been linked with a determination distant from Red Bull, and the likes of Mercedes and Aston Martin person reportedly shown involvement successful signing the 27-year-old.

Speaking recently, Nelson Piquet Jr, who is the uncle of Verstappen's daughter, dropped a immense bombshell astir the Dutchman's future.

He said on the Pelas Pistas Podcast: "There are weekends this twelvemonth erstwhile things conscionable don't enactment out. There's not overmuch to bash astir it.

"One of their drivers is simply a rookie, who was past unluckily deed by Hadjar past weekend. In immoderate case, it was not the play for Mercedes. But who knows what adjacent twelvemonth mightiness bring erstwhile Max is driving there! He volition contention successful Formula 1 successful 2026. I deliberation helium volition marque a determination by August."

Max Verstappen has been linked with a determination distant from Red Bull. Image: Getty

Piquet instantly went quiescent aft that sentence, but the podcast big had already picked up connected the comment.

Although helium admitted that thing has been contractually confirmed, Piquet stated that Mercedes is simply a logical prime if Verstappen were to permission Red Bull.

When asked who would beryllium Verstappen's teammate astatine Mercedes if the blockbuster determination does spell ahead, Piquet said: "It volition beryllium Kimi Antonelli. If helium goes there, it volition beryllium Antonelli."