Tuesday\u2019s fast-paced F1 news includes an in-depth analysis of life without Christian Horner at Red Bull and a suggestion that Max Verstappen has taken the \u201cfinal step\u201d in his proposed move to Mercedes for F1 2026.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s fly through the day\u2019s main F1 headlines at the speed of light\u2026<\/p>\n
Where does Christian Horner sack leave Red Bull?<\/p>\n
This weekend\u2019s Belgian Grand Prix will mark the team\u2019s first-ever race without Christian Horner in charge.<\/p>\n
Horner, 51, was sacked by the team after the British Grand Prix earlier this month with Laurent Mekies appointed as his successor.<\/p>\n
PlanetF1.com\u2019s Thomas Maher assesses the potential ramifications on the eve of Red Bull\u2019s new era.<\/p>\n
Read more:\u00a0Why Christian Horner\u2019s shock firing from Red Bull won\u2019t be felt immediately<\/a><\/p>\n Has Max Verstappen already \u2018signed\u2019 for Mercedes?<\/p>\n Max Verstappen may have already signed a contract to join Mercedes for the F1 2026 season.<\/p>\n That is the claim of former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who reckons a rumoured meeting between Verstappen and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff might have marked \u201cthe final step\u201d in negotiations.<\/p>\n It was claimed last week that Mercedes chief executive Ola Kallenius has approved Verstappen\u2019s proposed move for F1 2026.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0Juan Pablo Montoya presents new theory amid Max Verstappen to Mercedes talk<\/a><\/p>\n Helmut Marko: No proof that Mercedes is F1 2026 title favourite<\/p>\n Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko is adamant \u201cnothing has proven\u201d that Mercedes will be the favourite to win the F1 2026 title.<\/p>\n Rumours have persisted for some time that Mercedes\u2019 preparations for next year\u2019s major rule changes are advanced, with all its rivals experiencing trouble with the development of its new engines to some degree.<\/p>\n Mercedes previously emerged as F1\u2019s dominant force following the introduction of the V6-hybrid rules in 2014.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0\u2018Nothing has proven\u2019 Mercedes F1 2026 favourite as Red Bull update provided by Marko<\/a><\/p>\n David Coulthard bemused by George Russell contract wait<\/p>\n Former McLaren and Red Bull driver David Coulthard says it is \u201cslightly bizarre\u201d that George Russell has not yet secured a new contract at Mercedes for F1 2026.<\/p>\n Russell has enjoyed his best-ever start to a season in F1 2025, culminating in his fourth career victory at last month\u2019s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.<\/p>\n The British driver has entered the final six months of his existing Mercedes deal, with rumours of a move for Max Verstappen not going away.<\/p>\n