Max Verstappen continues to make headlines both on and off the F1 track. The four-time world champion, currently contracted with Red Bull until 2028, is at the center of rumors and courting, with Toto Wolff’s Mercedes ready to seize any opportunity.
In an exclusive interview with RacingNews365, Jonathan Wheatley – the long-time Red Bull insider and former right-hand man of the team – explained what it will truly take to keep Verstappen at Milton Keynes. A clear analysis, coming from someone who has witnessed the most important moments of the Dutch superstar’s career, including his 2021 world championship.
Wheatley’s statements
According to Wheatley, now team principal at Stake, the main factor is not financial, nor solely linked to immediate competitiveness: “What drives a driver to stay in a team is the conviction that the team is heading in the right direction. You cannot expect to have a world championship car every single year, but you need the certainty that the project has solid foundations.”
Strong words, arriving at a very delicate moment for Red Bull. The Milton Keynes team is undergoing major changes: the departure of Christian Horner, Adrian Newey leaving for Aston Martin, the future technical partnership with Ford, and especially Honda’s exit in 2026 have opened several scenarios.
Laurent Mekies has the task of restoring stability to the team, but for Wheatley it will be crucial to convince Verstappen that the future at Milton Keynes can match his ambitions: “Max is an extraordinary driver, probably the most complete I have ever seen. But to stay, he must be certain that Red Bull is the right place to continue winning.”
The risk, therefore, is that the Dutch champion could become the final piece of an empire that is starting to crumble, with Mercedes and Aston Martin ready to move in to secure the symbol of modern Formula 1.
Leave a Reply