Since the introduction of the ground-effect car regulations, this season has likely been the most complicated for four-time world champion Max Verstappen. While the start of the season was in line with the incredible 2023 campaign, the Hasselt native had to deal with internal struggles that could have affected his performance. In an interview with the newspaper De Telegraaf, Verstappen retraced his journey, recounting some specific moments behind the scenes.
As you may recall, due to the Horner-Gate incident, an internal storm hit Red Bull during the first races of the season. Many believed that Helmut Marko was the one who leaked information against Team Principal Christian Horner, as it was rumored that the two were in conflict, putting Marko’s position at Red Bull in jeopardy. Despite this, and with Max’s intervention, Marko ultimately managed to stay with the team.
Max Verstappen’s Ultimatum: “If Helmut goes, so do I”
“I think I clearly expressed what I thought at the time. It was definitely not a bluff, and everyone in the team knows that,” says Verstappen. “Did I ever doubt my future at Red Bull during that phase? Well, the feeling wasn’t entirely 100%. There were many things at stake. However, I don’t believe that when something goes wrong, the best thing to do is leave. That’s not my way.”
Max owes a lot to Helmut Marko, as it was Marko who allowed the then-16-year-old to debut in a Formula 1 car. For this reason, being aware of the Dutchman’s strong character, we know he would have had no problem leaving the team at the end of the season. Red Bull, however, would never have allowed the loss of their key figure and certainly wouldn’t have let him go, especially to Toto Wolff at Mercedes, who had been monitoring the situation at Milton Keynes as he would need to replace Lewis Hamilton.
Despite the internal issues, once Max got into the car, it was as if he had forgotten the problems surrounding Red Bull, and in the first five weekends of the season, he managed to win four races, laying the foundation for his fourth world title.
10 Races Without a Win
Since becoming world champion in 2021, Verstappen has never gone through such a long period without victories. Had it not been for his experience gained over the years in Formula 1, Max, after McLaren overtook Red Bull in terms of technical leadership, likely would not have won this championship.
“This year I relied a lot on my experience. I tried to stay calm, not to force things, to communicate well with the team, and to work hard,” explains the Dutchman. These words may raise some eyebrows for those who closely followed the past season. Of course, no one doubts the hard work that the 27-year-old from Hasselt had to put in to improve a car with too many issues. However, in some races, the Red Bull driver didn’t exhibit the calmest demeanor.
Take, for instance, the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen was involved in a “row” with Gianpiero Lambiase, when the latter accused his driver of behaving childishly. Or the battles with Lando Norris, his only direct rival in the Drivers’ Championship, which often crossed the line of fairness, culminating with a 20-second penalty during the Mexican Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen’s Accusations: “There Were Things Behind the Scenes That Prevented Us from Competing in Some Races”
As is well known, when a season is fought between multiple teams, controversies are inevitable. A few weeks ago, just before the final race of the championship, Pierre Waché, Red Bull’s technical director, spoke with these words: “Some gray areas are so attractive to an engineer. But, when you see McLaren’s rear wing, I’m sorry, but it’s more than just gray.”
Max also indirectly addressed the McLaren issue regarding the “mini-DRS,” the rear wing designed specifically for low-aero circuits like Monza, Baku, and Las Vegas, which the FIA later banned following post-Azerbaijan controversy, where Oscar Piastri’s McLaren triumphed over Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari.
According to the Dutchman, the competition broke the rules, and because of this, he and the team were penalized in some races: “I’m sure of it, but no one will ever admit it. There were things that happened behind the scenes that prevented us from competing in some races,” says the 27-year-old bluntly.
Max Verstappen’s Confidence in the Team
The RB20 certainly didn’t measure up to the RB19, which won 21 out of 22 races. Specifically, Red Bull struggled on bumpy tracks or circuits with slow corners. However, it was the car’s balance that was the main issue for the Austrian team. Despite this, Max Verstappen expressed confidence in his team, even though it no longer had the presence of Adrian Newey.
“I always keep the pressure high, even on myself. I try not to take it too lightly. But at one point, the car was almost undriveable. There wasn’t much we could do. If we continue like this, I won’t become champion next year,” Max says, fully aware of McLaren’s and Ferrari’s fierce competition. “We need to make progress to be competitive next season. I have confidence that the team can solve the balance issues we faced this year.”
“And some things we couldn’t change during the season will be addressed. We know we need to improve on curbs, on bumpy tracks, and in slow corners. These are generally our weak points. I believe that if we were to be beaten, it would only be due to pure speed,” Max Verstappen says, noting that only a better car could defeat him in a World Championship showdown.
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