Red Bull championship odds slashed as Christian Horner departs

This week marks the end of an era at Red Bull, as Christian Horner was given his marching orders following two decades as team principal at the Milton Keynes-based team. A precise explanation for Horner’s departure has not been provided.

The team has been plagued by poor results from Max Verstappen’s teammates and lacklustre car development – culminating in rumours that Verstappen may leave the team in 2026.

Love football? Find the best football betting sites and bet with welcome bonuses today.

As Red Bull spirals into disarray, Betfair have updated their latest Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship odds…and it makes for fascinating reading.

McLaren remain strong favourites

A bet on McLaren to win the Constructors’ Championship - 1/100 with Betfair - is virtually worthless at this stage of the season – as Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have accrued a cumulative points total of 460, with Norris taking back-to-back wins in Austria and Silverstone.

That places McLaren 250 points clear of their third-nearest rival, Mercedes (48/1), who have attained 210 points in the opening half of the 2025 season. 

For Toto Wolff and co., victory in the Constructors’ Championship would require a complete collapse by McLaren, but neither Norris nor Piastri have shown signs of wilting under pressure. 

Nevertheless, Mercedes will be prepared to pick up the pieces should Zak Brown’s outfit falter. While unlikely to reap rewards, a bet on the German team should not be ruled out entirely.

From the pit lane: Jennie Gow's F1 predictions

Why Ferrari’s odds are lengthening

Despite sitting second on the Constructors’ Championship standings, Betfair have Ferrari at 63/1 to win the title. 

This is likely due to the team attaining four podiums to Mercedes’ six – with each of Ferrari’s top-three finishes coming by way of Charles Leclerc. 

Although Lewis Hamilton achieved glory in the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race, the seven-time world champion is yet to mark his authority in Maranello.

Until Hamilton’s fortunes turn around, expect Ferrari’s odds on Betfair to fall short of Mercedes’.

Red Bull in freefall

Few could have predicted Red Bull’s dramatic 2025 decline. 

The team are now fourth on the Constructors’ Championship leaderboard, with two unhappy drivers.

Yuki Tsunoda, who replaced Liam Lawson after just two Grand Prix weekends, cannot pull any sort of performance from the RB21.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen has repeatedly voiced his frustrations over the car’s lack of grip via team radio. 

Christian Horner’s sacking shocked the racing world as well as the team – and Red Bull must regroup ahead of a make-or-break second half of the season. 

Perhaps equally surprising are Betfair’s odds on Red Bull to win the Constructors’ Championship, as the bookmaker has the six-time winners in plum last; 97/1.

Could Max Verstappen really leave?

Such disappointing output could see Verstappen activate an alleged clause within his current contract that allows the 2024 champion to agree terms with other teams, should he end the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend in fourth or worse on the overall drivers’ standings. 

Prior to Horner’s departure, Ladbrokes had Verstappen to join Mercedes in 2026 at 6/4.

Bettors who took those odds will likely feel fortunate in the aftermath of this week’s news – as updated listings are unlikely to be quite as lucrative.