After years of turmoil and high-profile departures, Red Bull has finally regained a sense of calm: and the Verstappen family seems more comfortable than ever in the environment.
Formula 1 may have a short memory, but anyone who has followed the inner workings of Red Bull over the last two years knows that the team went through a period far from serene. Power struggles, tension in the corridors of Milton Keynes, and ultimately the dismissal of Christian Horner—the team principal who had led Red Bull to dominate the World Championship but with whom Jos Verstappen had experienced more than a few public and private clashes. Today, however, the atmosphere appears to have changed dramatically. And Jos himself, often a candid and sometimes uncomfortable voice, confirms it.
Jos Verstappen satisfied with Red Bull
Speaking to Belgian television RTBF during the pre-season tests, Max Verstappen’s father didn’t mince words: “We are very happy because the work is going very well. There are so many new faces, and the atmosphere is excellent. Calm has returned, and this has a positive effect on the entire team.”
Coming from the former Benetton driver, these words carry extra weight. Those who know Jos understand he is not a man for easy compliments or superficial diplomacy. If he says that calm has returned, it is likely genuinely the case.
The new course is also embodied by the figure of Laurent Mekies, called upon to lead the team through this transitional phase. Jos spoke about him with genuine respect: “He has excellent interpersonal skills and understands people well.” This is a crucial detail in an environment where, in previous years, human relations management had become a weak point for the entire structure.
Encouraging signs from Red Bull Powertrains
On the technical front, another big question for this season is the power unit. Red Bull has embarked on its own engine program, and the initial results appear promising. “You never know exactly what’s behind the tests, but I have to say I’m satisfied, especially on the engine side. It’s working well and is reliable,” Jos explained, adding with the caution typical of someone who knows this sport well: “We’ll find out its true performance in the first race. For now, it’s working perfectly and looks promising.”
Promising indeed. Not a certainty, but a concrete signal of confidence in a project in which the team has invested heavily, both in terms of resources and reputation.
Red Bull and the Max factor
And then there is Max Verstappen. Always him, the centerpiece around which everything revolves. Jos speaks of his son with the direct affection of a parent who knows him better than anyone else: “He says what he thinks and knows what he wants. I think that’s important. He has more fuel than blood in his veins, but he’s always himself in everything he does.”
A champion who, in a calmer and more supportive environment, could express himself even more freely. The season has just begun, but the signals coming from the Verstappen camp are the most positive in years. And in the F1 Circus, when the Verstappens are happy, there is usually a very good reason.
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