Jos Verstappen has now openly referred to the “power struggle” within Red Bull Racing, involving the team’s Austrian and Thai shareholders. This internal conflict is part of the ongoing issues surrounding Christian Horner, which continues to create tension as the new Formula 1 season progresses.
“The team can put up with it at the moment, but it’s still in everyone’s minds,” Gunther Steiner conveyed to Bild, emphasizing the need for a resolution. “So it has to end soon. But when I read what Jos Verstappen is saying, it’s clear it will stay with us for a while. But the soap opera must end,” Steiner added, highlighting the team’s challenging situation.
Jos, father to Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s leading driver, hinted at the possibility of Max leaving the team due to these internal struggles, despite Horner being cleared by an investigation. Max’s future with the team, including potential moves to other top teams like Mercedes, is closely tied to Dr. Helmut Marko’s involvement with Red Bull.
Marko himself acknowledged the difficulty of replacing Max. “Some people think that Red Bull Racing is so well positioned that they can replace anyone. Wrong, you can’t replace Max that easily,” he stated to Speed Week, underlining Max’s value to the team.
“The internal investigations have been completed. I won’t say anything more about that,” Marko told Auto Bild, leaving the future uncertain. Regarding the possibility of Max moving to Mercedes, Marko expressed, “As far as I’m concerned, I won’t stand in Max’s way,” indicating openness to Max’s potential departure.
The situation is further complicated by rumors of a strategic power play within Red Bull, aimed at reshaping the team’s ownership and control. This behind-the-scenes maneuvering by Horner, involving Red Bull’s major Thai shareholders but excluding the founding Austrian faction, might have prompted the current crisis.
F1 legend Gerhard Berger and journalist Bianca Garloff have weighed in, suggesting the ongoing turmoil could lead to significant changes within Red Bull. “As of now, Horner stays, Helmut Marko and Adrian Newey quit, and Max goes to Mercedes,” Berger commented, indicating potential outcomes. Garloff added, “This is about more than Formula 1 – the future of the whole of Red Bull is currently at stake.”
