Max Verstappen has revealed he was tipped off about Red Bull’s team principal shake-up just half a day before the news broke. Speaking ahead of the 2025 season opener in Australia, the defending champion admitted the switch caught him off guard but didn’t disrupt his focus on the track.
The Dutch driver, set to chase a fifth straight title with Red Bull alongside new teammate Liam Lawson, said he got the heads-up from within the team. “It was literally half a day before,” Verstappen told reporters at the Melbourne circuit. “I didn’t see it coming, but these things happen in F1.”
The change saw Jonathan Wheatley step up as team principal, replacing Christian Horner after his long tenure. Red Bull confirmed the move late last year, citing a strategic shift to bolster their push against rivals like Ferrari and McLaren.
Verstappen, who dominated the 2024 standings, shrugged off any concerns about stability. “The car’s what matters most,” he added. “We’ve got a strong setup for 2025, and that’s where my head’s at.”
With Mercedes pairing George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli, and Ferrari fielding Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, Red Bull faces stiff competition. But Verstappen remains confident, eyeing another dominant run.
