Max Verstappen is facing a “dilemma” ahead of the F1 2026 season with the departure of Christian Horner unlikely to result in a more competitive car at Red Bull. That is the belief of former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, who reckons a move to Mercedes represents Verstappen’s best best of winning the F1 2026 title.

Max Verstappen has been tipped to exit Red Bull and join F1 rivals Mercedes by a former driver. Riccardo Patrese competed in F1 from 1977 until 1993, finishing second to Williams team-mate Nigel Mansell in the 1992 world drivers’ championship and collecting six race wins across his career.