Ex-Formula 1 driver:

Max Verstappen “close to a deal with Mercedes”

Is Max Verstappen moving to Mercedes?(Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/Giuseppe CACACE)

A bombshell in Formula 1? According to former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert, Red Bull star Max Verstappen is on the verge of a deal with Mercedes.

Rumors about the departure of world champion Verstappen have been persistently circulating around the Horner case. Now Johnny Herbert is fueling the speculation further. As the Sun reports, the former driver reveals that Verstappen is "close" to a Mercedes deal. Is Red Bull losing its figurehead?

Max Verstappen(Bild: APA/AFP/Giuseppe CACACE)

"It's not good for Red Bull"
 The unrest surrounding Christian Horner is "not a good thing for Formula 1", says Herbert. The three-time Grand Prix winner, who raced in Formula 1 between 1989 and 2000, makes it clear: "It doesn't improve the situation for Red Bull because it currently has the best driver in the world."

Johnny Herbert(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The accusations made by a former employee against team boss Horner continue to hover over the Formula 1 racing team like a sword of Damocles. According to the 59-year-old, they are on the verge of "forcing Verstappen out of the team".