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Mercedes CEO has made his determination connected signing Max Verstappen for the 2026 F1 play pursuing the sacking of Red Bull squad main Christian Horner.
The aboriginal of reigning satellite champion Verstappen has been the communicative connected everyone's lips successful the F1 paddock, pursuing confirmation from Toto Wolff that Mercedes are funny successful his signature.
Mercedes are yet to renew the declaration of some George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for adjacent play leaving some drivers' seats susceptible to The Dutchman.
This comes arsenic a peculiar astonishment for Russell, who has been successful the Mercedes Academy since 2017 and performed exceptionally since being promoted from Williams successful 2022.
Verstappen's aboriginal has been formed into adjacent much uncertainty arsenic Red Bull confirmed connected Wednesday greeting that Christian Horner has been sacked with contiguous effect.
Max Verstappen and Christian Horner successful 2024 (credit: getty)
Red Bull managing manager Oliver Mintzlaff said: "We would similar to convey Christian Horner for his exceptional enactment implicit the past 20 years.
"With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise, and innovative thinking, helium has been instrumental successful establishing Red Bull Racing arsenic 1 of the astir palmy and charismatic teams successful Formula 1. Thank you for everything, Christian, and you volition everlastingly stay an important portion of our squad history."
Mercedes springiness greenish airy to motion Max Verstappen
With Red Bull successful disarray, it could beryllium the cleanable clip for Mercedes to pounce, and according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the determination to motion Verstappen has already been made.
The study claims that Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius has fixed the 'green light' for the squad to actively attack the 27-year-old.
Verstappen is nether declaration astatine Red Bull until 2028 but has a buyout clause of £87 million, and according to the Italian newspaper, the Silver Arrows would beryllium consenting to wage up to get Verstappen successful a Mercedes for 2026.
Max Verstappen and George Russell astatine the 2025 Canadian GP (credit: getty)
Despite winning races successful 2025, Verstappen's hopes of retaining his rubric look minimal with McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris importantly up successful the standings.
Speaking up of the British Grand Prix, Verstappen refused to regularisation retired a determination to Mercedes.
"I'm going to accidental no, due to the fact that if I accidental yes, radical volition marque up headlines again, and that's not what I want," helium told the media.
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