Martin Brundle has 'almost considered' Jos Verstappen to be Red Bull boss after Christian Horner furore

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle pointed out that he has "almost considered" Jos Verstappen as Red Bull's team principal, following his public outcry against Christian Horner. 

In Bahrain last year, a public row was created between Verstappen and Horner, due to the former insisting the team would "explode" if a change of team boss was not made. 

Fast forward to this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, and it represents Laurent Mekies' second event as Red Bull boss after Horner was axed after Silverstone. 

Max Verstappen's future is speculated as having been a reason behind the departure, with the Dutchman having found himself heavily linked to Mercedes. 

However, with Horner now gone, Brundle is adamant that it has secured the Milton Keynes-based outfit the 27-year-old for 2026.

Brundle is confident the four-time world champion's camp would have been aware of the decision by Red Bull's senior figures to axe Horner, and that Verstappen would have confirmed his commitment to the team before the exit was announced. 

In addition, the Sky F1 pundit is certain the public comments made at Horner by Jos, would have been considered in the decision to hire a new team boss after over 20 years.

Discussing if Jos' outcry for Horner to be axed played a part in the Briton's departure, Brundle told Sky F1: "Absolutely. I think since Bahrain last year, I’ve almost considered Jos as the team principal of Red Bull. 

"It’s become a one-driver team and I think that’s something they’ve got to fix as well. But there’s no way the hierarchy in Austria would have done this [sacked Horner without Verstappen's camp being aware]. 

"The Verstappens would have bought into this. They wouldn’t have been blindsided. So there’s no way that Max will now be leaving the team because of that. 

"They would have ensured that before they made that move with Christian."