While the Formula 1 world is away relaxing during the off-season, Max Verstappen’s father is back waging war with his Red Bull team.
Jos Verstappen, who competed in F1 between 1994 and 2003, made headlines time and again throughout the 2024 season as he went to battle against his son’s team manager Christian Horner.
At the start of a year which saw Max win his fourth world title, F1 was dogged by allegations of misconduct against Horner by a female employee.
Horner was cleared by two internal investigations and strongly denies the claims, but Jos regularly criticised the team principal and CEO, saying Red Bull would ‘implode’ if he didn’t leave his post.
That never happened as Horner stayed in situ, but there was some evidence of that implosion as a number of key employees departed and the team’s form dropped off a cliff.
Red Bull spent the second half of the season as the third fastest team behind McLaren and Ferrari, which was reflected in the constructors’ championship.
It was only down to some legendary driving from Max that they maintained the drivers’ crown, and Jos is finding it hard to see that happening again.
“I still have my doubts about that,” he said when asked about a fifth-straight title. “Red Bull has to build a car that is more predictable under all circumstances.
“If you look at the second half of 2024, you can’t be optimistic. Red Bull simply hasn’t managed to make the car consistently fast. Why would that be the case this year?
“I’ve talked enough about the reasons why the team is in danger of falling apart. Let’s leave it at that. One thing is certain: Red Bull faces a major task in 2025.”
Of the key employees to leave, Adrian Newey, the greatest car designer in the history of the sport, was the most high-profile.
The aerodynamicist announced his departure mid season, later signing for Aston Martin, and Verstappen Snr sees that as crucial.
“As far as Newey is concerned, it is a fact that the car did not improve when he left the team,” he claimed. “The updates in particular no longer worked as desired.”
There’s expectation that Newey’s new team Aston Martin could compete for wins in 2026 as the designer will be able to exploit new rule changes for that season.
That year may also coincide with Verstappen Jnr looking for new employment should Red Bull’s downward momentum continue into 2025.
The Dutch no.1 has been linked with a move in 2026, and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has openly admitted that he’s trying to sign him.
And now the driver’s father has added more fuel to the fire, claiming that it’s all down to winning races.
“Everything is possible,” Jos Verstappen said. “He can stay with Red Bull if he sees the benefit of it.
“His goal is still to win races. If he feels that this is no longer possible at Red Bull, then a transfer is not ruled out.”