Horner may have predicted Verstappen would one day leave, but it’s the Briton who instead left, and immediately. His exit, it has been surmised, marks Red Bull’s last-ditch attempt to retain Verstappen with his camp said to be unhappy with the team principal.

The ever-growing speculation that Max Verstappen is in talks with Mercedes about a switch from Formula 1 rivals Red Bull

With the Mercedes and Max Verstappen flirtation continuing, the impact such a partnership could have would be seismic in Formula 1. Here’s a delve into the factors in play