With Horner gone, is Max Verstappen more likely to remain at Red Bull?

Red Bull's new Formula 1 team manager, Laurent Mekies, has a lot on his plate after replacing Christian Horner.

The first task is to cling onto Max Verstappen.

How plausible is that? Does Horner's exit increase the likelihood of that, or are issues with the car's performance and the team's composition still a big problem?

What strategy might Mekies employ in his new position, which is to stabilize Red Bull while attempting to retain Verstappen?

Here, we examine all of it in what will undoubtedly remain one of the season's most important stories.

It's Verstappen's big decision

The four-time world champion must make a significant choice.

Mercedes is pursuing Verstappen, who has a deal with Red Bull through 2028. His supporters think that if he so desires, there are ways for him to break his current pledge.

Whether Red Bull's plan to "remove Horner from his operational duties" was an attempt to appease Verstappen and convince him to continue with the team is still up in the air. Furthermore, it's unclear if it will succeed even if it did.

However, Horner's exit helps ease some of the anxiety surrounding Verstappen.

The Dutchman was uneasy about Horner's two internal investigations clearing him of sexual harassment charges filed against him by a female employee last year.

Adrian Newey, the team's chief technology officer, was not someone Verstappen wanted to go. Furthermore, he is undoubtedly unhappy with the public attention that Red Bull has received as a result of all the problems over the last 18 months.

Nevertheless, there was no clear personal conflict between Verstappen and Horner. Verstappen's father and Horner, however, were at odds.

Jos Verstappen, the former Formula One driver, is a strong individual who has been instrumental in his son's success. Although he has mostly remained silent this year, he stated last year that the team would disintegrate if the manager stayed on after the accusations against Horner surfaced.

Verstappen's comments seemed prophetic as last year progressed and a number of key players started to depart, beginning with Newey. His opinion remained unchanged until Horner was fired, but Horner's exit significantly alters the situation.

Max is independent and will make his own decisions. At least he now knows that his father does not despise his team boss while he is still making up his mind.