Jos Verstappen, father of 3-time F1 champion Max Verstappen, has confirmed the power struggle within Red Bull Racing, expressing concerns that it may persist for some time. This revelation comes on the back of Red Bull’s stellar performance in the initial races of the season, where they clinched dominant 1-2 finishes in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, led by Max Verstappen. However, Jos also believes that the environment within the team and the constant poking from the media is something Max doesn’t enjoy, but has to deal with it anyway.

At the heart of this power struggle is Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing. Despite leading the team to success, the Brit faces opposition from various figures within the organization. While Horner was initially exonerated of any misconduct following an internal probe into claims made by a female staff member, there are indications that an appeal from the complainant might be on the horizon. Jos openly called for Horner’s departure, stating that the team would get torn apart if he stayed.

Max Verstappen doesn’t like the constant questioning of the team’s situation

The discontent isn’t limited to Verstappen’s camp. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s sporting advisor, is also reportedly at odds with Horner. Additionally, Adrian Newey, the aerodynamics guru, is also said to be unimpressed with Horner’s leadership. While the team enjoys success on the track, the off-track drama threatens to overshadow their achievements. Reflecting on the situation, Jos expressed his frustration at the ongoing drama.

“It’s definitely hard for the outside world to follow. I think it is a necessity for them to get calm within the team, but given the circumstances, I think it will continue for a while,“ Jos was quoted by express.co.uk. “I’m curious, but it doesn’t help the whole process.” Furthermore, Jos hinted at a power struggle within the team, adding, “There is definitely a certain power struggle going on. We’re going to see, I can’t say too much about it.“ He also emphasized the importance of restoring peace and refocusing on racing.

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Verstappen’s concerns extend to his son Max, who finds himself at the center of media scrutiny, despite his stellar performances on track. “The most important thing for us is that Max keeps winning, and he does. The car is very good, and between the engineers and Max, there is nothing going on, so that is also good. Max knows how to get that part out, too. But he gets a lot of questions about what’s going on and he doesn’t like that.“

With no end to the drama in sight, Max Verstapen’s situation within the team has changed compared to a few months ago.

Max could find himself looking for a new team beyond 2024

The Dutchman is under contract with Red Bull till the end of 2028. And with a competitive car at his side, it appeared there was no reason for him to consider leaving. However, as the tension grows, sparked by internal power struggles, the situation keeps getting worse for the defending champion.

During the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, Verstappen himself suggested he might walk away if Helmut Marko was ousted due to an investigation into media leaks. Verstappen made his stance clear, emphasizing the importance of Marko’s presence for his future with the team. It has also been reported that the Dutchman has a special clause allowing him to depart if Marko is no longer part of the team.

Do you think Max Verstappen will need to find himself a new race seat for 2025 despite the likelihood of clinching his 4th title in a row with Red Bull? Share your insights in the comments down below.

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