Herbert is sure: 'Verstappen close to deal with Mercedes'

After Ralf Schumacher previously called out Christian Horner to leave, there is now another former F1 driver who believes the paths between the team principal and Red Bull Racing should part ways. Johnny Herbert is even convinced that the turmoil is so intense that Max Verstappen is about to sign a contract with Mercedes.

The three-time Grand Prix winner delivers his verdict in the case surrounding Horner, which has gripped Formula 1 for weeks. A suspended team employee accused the Red Bull Racing team principal of inappropriate behaviour, an allegation he was initially cleared of after an internal investigation by Red Bull GmbH.

Nevertheless, the case is simmering on, partly because of an upcoming appeal and a complaint to the FIA's ethics committee. Herbert believes Horner should step down as team principal of the Austrian racing stable. "It's not a good thing for F1 with the whole thing going on and the belated heat on it," the former driver told BetIdeas.com.

"It doesn't help the situation for Red Bull who have the best driver in the world at the present time. And they're very close to pushing [Max Verstappen] out of the team, I've heard they are getting quite close with the deal with Mercedes. It seems like a stupid thing to do, their biggest asset is not the Christian Horner show," says Herbert, who calls out Horner for his 'arrogance'.

Herbert and Jos Verstappen know each other well. Herbert replaced Jos Verstappen for the last two races at Benetton in '94. The Briton was also allowed to join the Italian team for the following season, and Verstappen—after a brief stint at Simtek—became Benetton's test driver. It was during this time that Jos and Herbert got to know each other. Since then, Herbert regularly appears as an analyst, in the past at Sky Sports, for example.