Horner hits back at Wolff: 'Maybe Russell wants to leave Mercedes too'

Horner hits back at Wolff

At the Shanghai International Circuit, Wolff said that Verstappen could move to Mercedes in 2026, as the German Formula 1 team would be in good shape for the new engine regulations. Horner, however, did not want to hear that suggestion and thinks his Austrian rival talks an awful lot about the Dutchman.

"Does Toto just talk about Max to avoid talking about his car and his team performance?", said the 50-year-old Briton, who threw in another jab: "Have you heard George Russell is out of contract at the end of 25? You know, maybe he might not be so keen to stay in ‘26. So, the market moves around."

Horner: 'We know nothing about a bid for Sainz'

Perhaps the most talked about driver in the F1 driver market at the moment is Carlos Sainz. The Ferrari driver will have to make way for Lewis Hamilton next year, leaving Mercedes behind. Helmut Marko claimed that Audi had made the Spaniard a lucrative offer, but Horner reiterated that no statements could be made about that. 

"Firstly, we're not aware of any offer. It's not been disclosed to us what Audi may or may not have offered to Carlos, and it would be inappropriate to comment on that," Horner told reporters. "As I'm sure if we made an offer, it wouldn't be disclosed to another team. So, Carlos is on the open market for next year. He's a hot prospect, which no doubt many teams will be showing great interest in. I think there's several that probably are."