Max Verstappen’s father has admitted he remains a “little doubtful” about whether Red Bull can deliver his son a car that he can retain his Formula 1 title with in 2025.
Verstappen won his fourth straight Drivers’ Championship in 2024, but his latest triumph wasn’t as seamless as sealing the deal with two events to go had suggested.
The Dutchman was made to stumble over the line as Red Bull encountering extreme balance issues with the RB20 saw the team’s performance nosedive mid-season.
Having won seven times in the first 10 races, Verstappen was victorious twice in the remaining 14 rounds as McLaren and Ferrari both ended up overhauling Red Bull.
Red Bull has accepted it must endeavour to build a more benign car that avoids the volatile swings that both drivers were susceptible to with the RB21’s predecessor.
However, Jos Verstappen isn’t convinced that Red Bull will succeed in addressing all the problems that emerged throughout last season across a single winter period.
When asked how optimistic he is about Red Bull’s chances in the upcoming campaign, Verstappen Sr told F1 Insider: “I still have some doubts about that.
“Red Bull has to build a car that is easier to predict in all conditions.
“If you look at the second half of 2024, you can’t be optimistic. Red Bull simply hasn’t managed to make the car consistently fast. So why should that be the case this year?
Red Bull exits had an impact, according to Verstappen Sr
Red Bull’s dramatic decline coincided with a power struggle ensuing behind the scenes amid an internal investigation being launched into team boss Christian Horner.
Horner was exonerated against claims of inappropriate behaviour, but not before Verstappen Sr had claimed that his presence would threaten to “tear apart” Red Bull.
The ex-F1 driver remained unwavering in his stance as multiple senior figures chose to leave, including storied designer Adrian Newey who is moving to Aston Martin.
With Red Bull’s long-time Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley vacating his role to head up Sauber/Audi, Verstappen Sr was asked whether those exits had an impact.
“I think so,” he answered. “As far as Newey is concerned, it’s a fact that the car didn’t improve when he left the team.
“The updates in particular no longer worked as desired.
“I’ve talked enough about the reasons why the team is in danger of falling apart. Let’s leave it at that. One thing is certain: Red Bull has a big task ahead of it in 2025.”
Verstappen can prevail with weaker car
Nevertheless, Verstappen Sr has voiced that his son proved in his recent title-winning season that he can still usurp the other drivers with a relative car disadvantage.
“He was extremely good in 2023,” he recalled. “But of course, 2024 was more difficult for him because the car wasn’t the best in the field and he therefore always had to drive at the limit. Without making any mistakes. He did that extremely well.
“He has always given 100 per cent. But this year it was more noticeable. People noticed that Max can make the difference compared to others.”
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