Revealed: The Horner summit that could now push Verstappen to McLaren

In a previous guise as the Osterreichring, this undulating track carved into the verdant Styrian mountains might have been described as the most picturesque graveyard in the world.

In recent years, as the Red Bull Ring, it has proved the scene of intrigue. It certainly was last year when an ashen-faced Christian Horner walked onto the second floor of Red Bull’s motorhome a couple of hours before the Austrian Grand Prix.

Various characters down below in the paddock were kitted out in lederhosen. It was, however, on the floor above that the bigwigs of Red Bull’s parent soft-drinks company were conspiring to end Horner’s tenure as team principal of their ultra-successful Formula One operation.

A power struggle had bubbled away since the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022. He had been Horner’s sponsor, protector and mentor. In his absence, a vacuum was created and Horner was among those who sought to assume wider responsibilities.

This caused resentment in the firmament, a situation not helped by accusations in 2024 of coercive behaviour to a female employee – claims that were twice dismissed in independent internal investigations.

But a hornet’s nest had been poked. And nothing would ever be quite the same again. Not for Horner, nor for his star driver Max Verstappen, the muddy waters of which lap the track again this weekend – a subject to which we shall return.

In recent years, the Red Bull Ring has been the scene of intrigue. It certainly was last year when an ashen-faced Christian Horner walked onto the second floor of Red Bull’s motorhome

Mark Mateschitz (centre), son of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich, was part of the Austrian faction at the company that pushed Horner out

Sensing Horner’s demeanour (though this may equally have been down to distressing family news he had just received) that day a year ago, I went to study the body language on the grid around the Red Bull pit box. Would the backbiting taking place upstairs be translated into froideur on the tarmac?

Not so, as far as the eye could discern. Horner posed happily with Thai billionaire Chalerm Yoovidhya, co-founder with Mateschitz in the 1970s of the drinks company, now valued at up to £25billion. Chalerm and his wife Daranee smiled for the cameras. It looked unforced.

With a 51 per cent holding in Salzburg-based Red Bull, Chalerm’s loyalty to Horner had proved invaluable in his rocky stretch as his employee’s allegations rocked him a year before. However, the Austrian wing of the company, including Mateschitz’s heir Mark, and managing director Oliver Mintzlaff, former chief executive of RB Leipzig, were opposed to Horner. And over the race weekend, their view prevailed. As Horner saw it, Chalerm was talked into going along with the defenestration.

Adding to the sense of desperation, neither Verstappen nor his team-mate Yuki Tsunoda finished the race. A double DNF on home soil. The embarrassment did not prompt Horner’s departure a few days later, but it was an emblem of a blip for what had been the most successful team of the decade.

Horner took to the grid for the 405th and final time at Silverstone a week later. He was ‘relieved’ of his responsibilities the following Tuesday, the Austrian plot reaching its conclusion. A press release was issued the next morning, confirming the decision. A chapter was closed. After severance talks, Horner left with £80m, but a hole in his life.

Horner, husband of former Spice Girl Geri (nee Halliwell), continues to search for a return to the sport. He has been linked to Ferrari, Alpine (where he sought to acquire a 24 per cent share) and Aston Martin. But, so far, his craved return has not come about. He is waiting for the right chance to present itself, rather than rushing back.

He wants a slice of team ownership, or, if called up at Ferrari, at least total control of racing matters, free from the excesses of interference from Maranello’s politicking corridors.

On the subject of Verstappen, his future is uncertain. Will he see out his contract that is due to run until the end of 2028? Will he exercise his release clause and jump elsewhere? Will he even stay in Formula One, brassed off as he is by the new regulations (half-combustion engine, half-electric)?

Horner with his Spice Girl wife Geri and Chalerm Yoovidhya, co-founder with Mateschitz in the 1970s of Red Bull, now valued at up to £25billion

Now it appears Max Verstappen, Red Bull's star driver and four-time world champion, is ready to follow Horner out of the door

Verstappen has entered talks with McLaren, where he would form a super-team with Lando Norris (left)

It seems his route to Mercedes, long talked of, has closed as the Silver Arrows look likely to stick with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Other paths remain open. McLaren, as revealed by Daily Mail Sport this week, have been in dialogue with him. And what about Ferrari if they continue their upward trajectory? He will bide his time, assessing which suitor best adapts to the technical demands of the day.

In practice yesterday, Verstappen was fourth-fastest. Antonelli set the pace. The McLarens came next. Lewis Hamilton was a disappointing fifth after his win in Spain a fortnight ago. Russell, 50 points behind his Italian team-mate Antonelli, was only sixth best.

Verstappen’s record in 2026 is not cheery. Under new team principal Laurent Mekies, trying to retain a workforce hit by defections along the pit lane, the Dutchman languishes seventh in the standings, 60 points off second-placed Hamilton. He has one podium to his name across seven rounds.

The seeds of his predicament, and Red Bull’s decline, were sown in the events that led up to and flowed from last year’s purge high up in the mountains.