Red Bull Faces Warning Over Verstappen’s Potential Departure Amid Team Discontent
There is growing concern within the Red Bull organization that the current turmoil could prompt Max Verstappen to consider leaving the team, despite his existing long-term contract. The focus intensified during the Bahrain Grand Prix, particularly on Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, following an alleged leak of WhatsApp messages between him and the woman who filed a complaint against him.
After an investigation into the allegations, a statement from Red Bull GmbH stated that the grievance had been dismissed before the alleged messages came to light. However, the situation took another turn when Jos, Max Verstappen’s father, suggested that Red Bull would face significant internal issues if Horner were to continue in his role.
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has expressed his belief in the possibility of Verstappen leaving Red Bull. He noted Verstappen’s seemingly subdued enthusiasm after his recent victory and emphasized the need for resolution within the team, stating that apologies or personnel changes might be necessary to address the significant damage to the team’s brand.
Schumacher also highlighted the fragility of a team’s structure and suggested that if such internal strife persists at Red Bull, Verstappen might explore alternative options. He urged the team to seek solutions that could restore peace and stability, emphasizing the potential departure of Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey as another factor that could impact the team negatively.
Despite Verstappen’s current contract with Red Bull running until the end of the 2028 season, Schumacher speculated about the potential for an early exit. He acknowledged that such a move could lead to a hearing before the Contract Recognition Board, incurring substantial costs for any team seeking Verstappen’s services.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff emphasized that a driver’s priority is always the quickest car, and currently, Red Bull holds that distinction. However, the warnings about internal unrest and the potential departure of key figures suggest a delicate situation that Red Bull may need to address promptly to maintain stability and retain their star driver.
