The pressure is mounting in the Formula 1 paddock as Jos Verstappen has thrown down the gauntlet to Red Bull, challenging the team to guide his son, Max Verstappen, to a fifth consecutive Drivers’ Championship in 2025—or risk jeopardizing their long-term partnership. Despite Max clinching his fourth straight title in 2024, cracks in Red Bull’s armor are starting to show, and the Verstappen camp is making it clear: the clock is ticking.
A Tumultuous Title Defense
While Verstappen secured his fourth Drivers’ crown this year, it was far from a cakewalk. The RB20’s persistent balance issues plagued the Dutchman throughout the season, and the once-dominant team found itself losing ground in the development race. McLaren surged ahead to claim the Constructors’ title, while Ferrari closed the gap as runners-up.
Gone are the days of starting a season with the fastest car on the grid. Red Bull now faces the daunting task of regaining their supremacy amidst fierce competition, a task Jos Verstappen sees as non-negotiable for his son’s continued loyalty.
Jos’s Bold Ultimatum
Speaking to Dutch publication Formule1.nl, Jos Verstappen didn’t mince words about Red Bull’s future. “A lot also depends on what happens here at Red Bull,” he said. “If they get it right again next year and we are competing at the front, Max will just stay.”
This isn’t mere speculation. Despite being contracted with Red Bull until 2028, Jos hinted that the relationship could end prematurely if the team fails to deliver. It’s a stark reminder that in Formula 1, loyalty is earned through results, not sentiment.
Horner’s Challenge: Deliver or Else
Red Bull boss Christian Horner acknowledged the stakes, emphasizing the team’s commitment to giving Verstappen a championship-winning car. “It’s down to us to deliver,” Horner said after Verstappen’s triumph at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. “I’m sure that we’ll provide him a car that he can fight again for the championship next year.”
While Max himself has expressed satisfaction with Red Bull, describing the team as his “home,” the competition is only getting fiercer. McLaren and Ferrari’s resurgence in 2024 has set the stage for an all-out battle in 2025, leaving Red Bull with no room for error.
The Looming 2026 Powertrain Gamble
The stakes get even higher with the impending 2026 rules reset, which will bring a greater focus on hybrid power units. Red Bull is taking a bold step into uncharted territory, developing its own powertrains instead of relying on proven suppliers like Honda or Mercedes. The move could pay dividends—or become a costly misstep.
Jos Verstappen, however, isn’t jumping to conclusions about the 2026 season. “Nobody knows how good the engine and car will really be in 2026. You only find out when it’s actually on the track,” he said, underscoring the inherent risks of Formula 1’s relentless innovation cycle.
Works Team vs. Customer Team: A New Dynamic
Adding intrigue to the equation is McLaren’s stunning 2024 Constructors’ title win, achieved as a Mercedes customer team. Jos dismissed the notion that being tied to a works team guarantees success, saying, “Everyone makes their own car. Look at McLaren and Mercedes. Are you better off with a Mercedes engine then? Well, not at the moment.”
This nuanced take highlights the unpredictable nature of Formula 1, where the right decision can elevate a team to glory—or relegate it to mediocrity.
2025: A Defining Year for Red Bull and Verstappen
As Formula 1 hurtles toward the next season, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Red Bull Racing. With McLaren and Ferrari breathing down their necks and a powertrain revolution on the horizon, the team must not only overcome the challenges of 2024 but also prove they have the resilience to stay at the top.
For Max Verstappen, 2025 represents more than just another title run—it’s a litmus test for his future with Red Bull. For Jos Verstappen, the message is crystal clear: Red Bull must deliver a championship-caliber car, or risk losing one of the greatest talents the sport has ever seen.
In the cutthroat world of Formula 1, success is fleeting, and loyalty is conditional. Red Bull now faces the ultimate challenge: keep Max Verstappen at the front of the pack—or watch their golden era fade into the rearview mirror.