Max Verstappen turns up the pressure on Red Bull over post-2025 future
Perception is everything in Formula 1, and Max Verstappen has been careful to keep his public criticism focused on performance rather than politics. But as the 2025 season sets the stage for the new rules era in 2026, the reigning champion and his camp have sent a clear signal: Red Bull has a pivotal year to prove it can offer the stability and consistency he expects.
Key points
- Verstappen has deliberately distanced himself from Red Bull’s off-track turmoil over the past 18 months, keeping his remarks trained on the car and execution.
- The RB20 and RB21 have been described as inconsistent and difficult to drive, notably after Miami 2024, with fluctuations in balance and predictability undermining confidence.
- His management has amplified the message, warning that his long-term future will hinge on Red Bull delivering a consistently competitive, driver-friendly package and a stable environment.
Context: performance over politics
Throughout the recent turbulence around the Red Bull organisation, Verstappen has repeatedly framed his concerns in performance terms. The focus has been on extracting a car that behaves consistently across circuits and conditions, rather than on internal power dynamics. That stance preserves leverage while keeping the discussion grounded in lap time.
What it means for Red Bull
With 2026 looming and rivals improving, the onus is on Red Bull to lock in a car and team framework that fit Verstappen’s exacting standards. The message from his camp underscores that 2025 will be decisive: provide the performance and stability required, or risk opening the door to change in a rapidly evolving driver market.
For now, Verstappen has ruled out an immediate exit at the end of 2025, but the medium-term warning is unmistakable. The ball is in Red Bull’s court.
