Jos Verstappen has warned that the Red Bull Formula 1 team is now “in danger of falling apart” amid the revelation that design guru Adrian Newey will depart in 2025.
Red Bull announced earlier this week that Newey will end his near two-decade association with Red Bull, which has seen him design cars that have claimed 13 titles.
Reports have stated that Newey’s impending exit is linked to the apparent power struggle that has ensued at Red Bull since the probe into team boss Christian Horner.
Despite being cleared from allegations of inappropriate conduct in an internal investigation, Verstappen Sr warned that Horner’s presence could “tear apart” Red Bull.
With Newey now confirmed to be leaving during the first quarter of 2025, the ex-F1 driver believes that his earlier worries have since materialised to become a reality.
“The team is in danger of falling apart. I was afraid of that earlier this year,” Jos Verstappen told De Telegraaf.
“For internal peace, it is important that key people stay on board. That is not the case now.
“Newey is leaving and earlier this year it also looked like Helmut [Marko] would be sent away. For the future, that is not good.”
Verstappen Sr’s comments regarding Marko concern the Austrian disclosing during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that he could be suspended from Red Bull activities.
Marko was cleared to remain in his role, but it was touted a clause has been inserted into Max Verstappen’s deal enabling him to leave should the advisor be removed.
Verstappen has been linked with a blockbuster move to Mercedes, with the marque’s boss Toto Wolff having been public with his staunch desire to sign the Dutchman.
Those rumours peaked when Verstappen Sr conversed with Wolff in Bahrain, and speculation has suggested that the respective camps will hold talks later this month.
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