That said, there is no guarantee that Verstappen will stay, even after Horner, who was a thorn in the side of his entourage, was dismissed. According to De Telegraaf, the 51-year-old’s exit has not boosted Red Bull ’s chances of retaining their star driver.

Red Bull's F1 team are reportedly fearing the worst awaiting an official decision over the future of their star driver Max Verstappen . The four-time champion has been connected with a blockbuster move to Mercedes in recent months as his struggles with the team he has called home for most of his career are beginning to prove too much to overcome.