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Jacques Villeneuve defends Red Bull against explosive claims: is Max Verstappen the secret weapon?

James Taylor by James Taylor
December 16, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Jacques Villeneuve defends Red Bull against explosive claims: is Max Verstappen the secret weapon?

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 04: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 04, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202512040221 // Usage for editorial use only //

Jacques Villeneuve Defends Red Bull Against Claims of Exclusivity for Max Verstappen

In a fiery rebuttal to critics, 1997 Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has come out swinging against the persistent narrative that Red Bull Racing shapes its cars solely for the benefit of its star driver, Max Verstappen. This claim has gained traction over recent seasons, particularly as Verstappen’s team-mates have struggled to match his extraordinary performance. But Villeneuve, speaking on the High Performance podcast, argues that the reality is far more nuanced.

“Everyone keeps saying, ‘Oh, but the car is made for Max. Poor, poor second driver.’ Actually, that’s not the case at all. Max is the one driving the development and making the car better,” Villeneuve asserted. He emphasized that it’s not simply a matter of the car being tailored to Verstappen’s style; rather, it’s about the driver’s ability to adapt and evolve. “If a driver can’t handle it or understand the car’s issues during the season, they’ll inevitably fall behind. It’s not that they’re slower, but Max will just keep getting faster,” he pointed out.

Villeneuve’s words ring true when reflecting on the disparity seen with Verstappen and his previous teammate Sergio Perez. “We witnessed it clearly with Perez. They would kick off the season on equal footing, but soon it became apparent that as Max accelerated, Perez stagnated,” Villeneuve explained. “That’s because he couldn’t grasp the intricacies of the car’s performance.”

Delving into the technical aspects, Villeneuve highlighted the challenges of fine-tuning a Formula 1 car. “Sometimes you face understeer due to a soft front end, while other times it’s about stiffness. The dynamics are constantly changing,” he noted, stressing the importance of understanding the aerodynamic package. He added, “The closer you get to the ground, the more grip you’ll have, necessitating a stiffer car. Yet, a stiff car can lead to mechanical sliding. It’s a delicate balance, and very few drivers can master it to the point where the car feels like an extension of their own body.”

As the 2025 season approaches, the Red Bull team dynamics are set to shift dramatically. Following Perez’s departure, rookie Liam Lawson initially took the seat but was quickly replaced by Yuki Tsunoda. Now, Tsunoda is poised to transition into a reserve driver role for 2026, as Isack Hadjar steps up to partner Verstappen.

On the horizon, Perez is not out of the game just yet. After a year away from the championship, he is gearing up for a return in 2026 with Cadillac, who will join the grid as the 11th team. The stakes are high, and as Villeneuve suggests, understanding and mastering the car’s intricacies will be more crucial than ever.

The debate rages on, but one thing remains clear: the talent gap between drivers is as critical as the cars they race. Villeneuve’s passionate defense of Red Bull serves as a reminder that greatness in Formula 1 is not handed out; it must be earned through skill, adaptability, and an intimate understanding of the machinery.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-formula-1-seasonaction-express-cadillacJacques Villeneuvemax-verstappen-enoracle-red-bull-racingSergio Pérez
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