Jos Verstappen, former Formula 1 driver and father to four-time world champion Max Verstappen, is no stranger to speaking his mind, even when it stirs the pot. His earlier comments about Red Bull’s internal struggles and the role of team boss Christian Horner raised eyebrows this season. Now, with the dust settling on 2024, Verstappen Sr. stands by his words, claiming they were necessary to address issues affecting his son and the team.
Jos Reflects on the Tumultuous Year
Speaking to De Telegraaf, Verstappen doubled down on his controversial statements, made during the early-season turmoil that saw Horner under scrutiny. The Dutchman had warned that Red Bull risked being “torn apart,” a sentiment that, at the time, fueled speculation about cracks within the dominant F1 team.
“No, not at all,” Verstappen said when asked if he regretted his remarks. “What the team boss does or does not do influences everything happening around the team and Max. Of course, I get involved. I see it all happening, and I believe I am in a position to say something about it.”
Tensions at Red Bull
Despite Max Verstappen’s fourth championship win, 2024 was far from smooth sailing for Red Bull. The team faced a mid-season slump as the RB20’s performance faltered, and upheaval struck with the departure of key personnel, including legendary designer Adrian Newey.
Jos noted the impact these disruptions had on the team and his son:
“On the sporting side, it was a less enjoyable year with everything going on around the team. At the start of the season, Red Bull looked very strong, but Max was already saying after a few races that the car was not as good as people thought.”
The Dutchman suggested that off-track distractions—such as Horner’s cleared investigation—may have played a role in Red Bull’s challenges. “It’s hard to put a finger on how much the noise around the team impacted the sporting performance,” he admitted.
Trust and 2025’s Stakes
Looking ahead, Jos emphasized that Red Bull must rebuild trust by delivering a competitive car in 2025, especially with Max’s high expectations.
“I do feel that the team has to prove itself again,” he said. “They need to show that we are still fast. That’s important for us.”
He added that while the team had retained some talent, changes in leadership and structure mean the pressure to perform has never been higher:
“It’s up to the team to show that they have kept the good people and can build a fast car again.”
Red Bull’s Resilience Tested
While Max Verstappen continues to shine on the track, his father’s unfiltered comments reflect the challenges Red Bull faces in maintaining its dominance amidst internal and external pressures. Jos Verstappen’s outspoken nature may ruffle feathers, but it underscores the stakes for a team and a driver accustomed to winning.
With 2025 looming, the focus is now squarely on Red Bull’s ability to adapt, innovate, and deliver the machinery needed to keep Max at the top—a task that will define whether the team remains the benchmark or begins to falter under the weight of its own success.
