Race victor Max Verstappen from the Netherlands, representing Red Bull Racing, celebrates on the winner’s platform. The date is 09.03.2024. This event is part of the Formula 1 World Championship, specifically Round 2, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Race Day.
The idea of Max Verstappen participating in Formula 1 without wearing the recognizable Red Bull colors has always seemed unimaginable. This is primarily due to the fact that the team provided him with the necessary equipment to achieve record-breaking performances.
Verstappen has been associated with Red Bull since before his remarkable debut in the top-tier racing category at the young age of 17. Throughout several seasons characterized by uncompetitive and unreliable engines, he demonstrated patience and was eventually rewarded. Ever since the sport reintroduced ground effect cars, Verstappen has achieved unparalleled accomplishments.
With 34 victories in the past 44 races leading up to this season, Verstappen now ranks third in the all-time wins list. This remarkable achievement is a testament to Red Bull’s continued advantage over their competitors. In the first two races of 2024, Verstappen has capitalized on this advantage, securing dominant victories.
However, amidst the team’s relentless success on the track, the focus of the headlines has shifted to developments occurring elsewhere. An investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior against Team Principal Christian Horner has caused a stir within Red Bull.
Although Horner has been cleared of these accusations and has emphasized the team’s unity, the tension within Red Bull has been palpable during the opening rounds of the championship.
After Verstappen’s crushing triumph in Bahrain to kick off the season, attention turned to comments made by his father, Jos Verstappen. Jos implied that Horner’s position within the team had become untenable and could potentially cause division within Red Bull.
In Saudi Arabia, Verstappen attempted to defuse the situation by acknowledging that he and Horner could overcome their differences and work together harmoniously.
However, the Dutch driver’s insistence that his father is “not truthful” and the cautious response when asked if he could support Horner on multiple occasions has been revealing about the side he is aligning with.
This was further demonstrated when Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko suggested that he could face suspension during an investigation into media leaks, and Verstappen acknowledged that the departure of this influential figure would lead to problems.
Nonetheless, Marko has confirmed that he will continue in his position, and Verstappen has also reaffirmed his intention to honor his long-term contract until the end of 2028.
However, despite Verstappen seemingly putting to rest rumors of his departure, speculation about his future will persist as the saga unfolds.
Lewis Hamilton has emphasized that it would be unwise for Verstappen to leave Red Bull while they remain the dominant force, but the ongoing off-track drama is overshadowing the on-track action this season.
In Formula 1, where there is smoke, there is often fire, as demonstrated by Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025. Verstappen’s position as a pawn in a power struggle could potentially sway his commitment to Red Bull Racing.
After losing Hamilton to a rival team, Mercedes will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on developments at Red Bull. Team Principal Toto Wolff has even expressed that Marko, who has a close relationship with the Verstappen camp, would be welcomed.
Wolff is a sly operator and those remarks would have been strategically placed with the purpose of adding fuel to the controversy. It also served as a public invitation to Verstappen, indicating that Mercedes would be open to initiating contract discussions if the reigning champion were to become available.
Mercedes finds itself in a dilemma regarding whether to prioritize an experienced driver or a rising star to partner with George Russell for the upcoming season. However, the opportunity to lure Verstappen away from Red Bull would offer a resolution to this unresolved issue.
Wolff has long admired Verstappen, and it is well-known that Mercedes had pursued the Dutchman before Red Bull secured his signature by guaranteeing an immediate promotion to F1. At that time, Verstappen’s exceptional talent was undeniable, but he has since refined his skills and transformed from a raw gem into a polished racer who stands out among the current generation.
In addition to his undeniable brilliance on the track, acquiring Verstappen would be a valuable coup for Mercedes due to the global appeal he brings. While he cannot replace Hamilton’s status as a worldwide icon beyond the realm of racing, Verstappen’s brand has attracted numerous partners eager to be associated with him.
However, Wolff is fully aware that the key to securing Verstappen’s services lies in providing him with a competitive car that will enable him to continue his pursuit of more trophies before his retirement.
Currently, Mercedes does not qualify as an attractive destination to fulfill that requirement. The German manufacturer has struggled since being the main rival to Verstappen during his debut championship campaign in 2021, managing only one victory under the latest ground effect regulations.
Despite overcoming the stubborn tendencies of its previous model with the revamped W15 car for 2024, Mercedes has encountered additional challenges with high-speed cornering, which the team considers to be a fundamental problem.
If Mercedes fails to show any signs of understanding the latest version of their cars for a third consecutive season, the perception of the team may shift from a minor setback to a downfall.
However, the upcoming implementation of new regulations could disrupt the established hierarchy, and it is possible that Verstappen and his team have considered leaving Red Bull due to their preparations not going as planned.
Red Bull has established a Powertrains division in collaboration with Ford to develop their own engine, but Ferrari has cautioned that new engine manufacturers will face difficulties in the revised 2026 arrangement.
At the same time, key figures at Red Bull have expressed concerns about the regulations favoring engine dominance. In 2014, when this occurred previously, Mercedes began an unprecedented streak of eight consecutive championships.
Verstappen has stated that it is too early to make conclusions about Red Bull’s latest motorsport venture, but it is clear that he is well-informed about the progress being made.
While Verstappen is grateful to Red Bull, it should not be doubted that he would be willing to leave if he becomes disenchanted. His loyalty to Red Bull should not be mistaken for a lack of self-confidence in his ability to succeed elsewhere.
In the realm of tabloid journalism, the 2024 cars serving as the foundation for their successors, a departure from Red Bull would undoubtedly be a regressive move in the short term for a driver who has made it clear that he has no intention of pursuing a career in Formula 1 similar to that of Fernando Alonso.
However, Verstappen’s potential departure from Red Bull may be driven by a desire to position himself favorably for the upcoming regulations.
There are rumors circulating that Mercedes is ahead in terms of engine development compared to other teams, and if these reports hold true, the team could possess a powerful bargaining chip to entice Verstappen to make a move similar to Hamilton’s departure from McLaren, which was based on future projections.
While there are notable differences in the circumstances surrounding the two drivers, Mercedes would be eager to seize the opportunity to strengthen their ranks and weaken Red Bull in the process.
Russell has openly acknowledged that he is prepared for the challenge, recognizing Verstappen as the “top driver on the grid,” and Wolff has gone so far as to state that Red Bull’s competitors would jump at the chance to have the three-time F1 champion in their car.
Red Bull would undoubtedly continue to thrive without Verstappen, but his presence has undeniably raised the bar for the Milton-Keynes-based team. The struggles Red Bull has faced in finding a suitable replacement for Daniel Ricciardo since his departure in 2018, as well as the difficulties Sergio Perez encountered last season, serve as evidence that the team is ill-prepared to take the risk of Verstappen leaving.
While Horner has emphasized that no individual is greater than the team, Verstappen’s potential departure could have far-reaching consequences that challenge this notion.
In the event that Horner’s alleged bluff is exposed, Mercedes may not be the only team vying for Verstappen’s highly sought-after services.
While Mercedes has struggled to maintain its former invincibility, Aston Martin has experienced a rise in recent times. The team, based in Silverstone, used to operate on a limited budget but has since received substantial financial backing from Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll since mid-2018.
Stroll played a crucial role in saving the team and securing its future, leading to the transition into Aston Martin in 2021. Although the team achieved seventh place in the two seasons following the move, it made a breakthrough last season by emerging as Red Bull’s closest competitor in the early stages of the year.
Despite a regression in competitiveness as the development race intensified, Aston Martin finished fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, accumulating 255 more points and securing eight podium finishes compared to the previous season.
Stroll Sr’s ambitions extend beyond these achievements, as he aims to transform Aston Martin into a title-contending team. This vision is evident in the significant investment made in a state-of-the-art headquarters and simulator.
Stroll Sr has proven his willingness to make bold moves to achieve his dream, including signing Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso in the past. Alonso, who continues to perform at a high level at the age of 42, has acknowledged that he will have to make a decision regarding his future in the sport.
If Alonso chooses to retire or pursue another team, it would not be surprising to see Stroll Sr inquire about Verstappen’s interest. Similar to Mercedes, Aston Martin can offer the appeal of being a factory team with the support of Honda, a manufacturer with whom Verstappen already has a connection.
Aston Martin’s partnership with Honda is seen as a significant step towards its long-term goals, as the team becomes less reliant on Mercedes for customer parts such as the gearbox and suspension.
Furthermore, Stroll Sr is known for providing a less corporate and more relaxed environment, which aligns with the environment in which Verstappen has thrived at Red Bull. This could be an attractive factor for Verstappen, especially considering the demanding nature of a 24-round calendar.
Verstappen is a passionate racer, and the lack of focus on his accomplishments has been a source of dissatisfaction. As long as Horner remains in charge, this is unlikely to change, potentially leading Verstappen to make a career-altering decision that goes beyond the dominance of Red Bull in the sport.