Max Verstappen and Adrian Newey won a lot together, until the Englishman decided to leave the Milton Keynes team. In F1, a paradox has existed for decades. According to a fairly widespread opinion, the drivers who brought Adrian’s cars to victory merely achieved results that were inevitable. That fate befell Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Mika Hakkinen, Jacque Villeneuve, and Sebastian Vettel.
A champion just wants to win
Let’s be clear: it took a limping Red Bull in the second part of last season and at the start of the 2025 championship to finally clarify what had been obvious for a while — the Dutchman, despite outbursts born of an aggression that’s never been tamed, really does what he wants with a car that in some cases has proven uncompetitive.
I’m sure some readers at this point might disagree. “It’s easy to take the credit when you win and blame the car when you lose” — this is the usual criticism aimed at the four-time world champion by those who either don’t remember, or weren’t around, when Senna longed for Prost’s Williams. Or take Michael Schumacher’s frustrations, for example.
Indeed, in the bitter early seasons with Ferrari, Michael candidly admitted that with another team, he probably would have won much more. It has always been this way: the best driver wants the best car. And there’s nothing wrong with that — being admired is nice for a while, but eventually praise isn’t enough, and the need to win becomes overwhelming.
Shifting the balance for an impossible feat
In a season that on paper may not bring many joys, Max Verstappen has the chance to achieve something symbolically massive. No team has ever won a world title after losing Newey. Williams in 1998 and McLaren in 2006 couldn’t replicate previous successes once the brilliant British designer left.
With the first post-Newey car, the talent from Hasselt has so far taken one win, two other podium finishes, and two pole positions. Deep down, Jos’s son knows this season could elevate him more than those he utterly dominated. He has the potential to replicate years like Senna’s 1993 or Schumacher’s 1996.
Two seasons that, in the history of top-level motorsport, represent a showcase of raw talent exceeding the limits of machinery. Perhaps, by the end of this season, Max will hand the crown to a rival — a highly likely scenario unless Red Bull can give him the tools to fight.
Max Verstappen: the resentment of the British media
Last September, Adrian Newey himself admitted he was disheartened by the lack of recognition for the achievements of Vettel and Verstappen. A simplistic assessment of the two drivers, largely fueled by the British media in a sport with strong Anglo-Saxon roots. But Max is a sharp guy and quickly understood how the game works, adapting accordingly.
After his stunning win in Brazil 2024, he mocked the English press in post-race interviews, asking where the British media had disappeared to. The boos he received at the livery presentations show that there will never be much love between Max Verstappen and the UK fans. But knowing the Dutchman’s character, he’ll easily endure the heated reactions he triggers in certain places.
Give Max a car
It’s up to Red Bull to provide their champion with a car that, even if it’s not as competitive as the McLaren, gives him a chance — because they know Verstappen absolutely makes a difference. It’s an effort also aimed at discouraging rival teams from tempting him in the future. After all, Horner and company are fully aware: without Max, Red Bull would likely return to its 2008 level of competitiveness.
Thus, improving the RB21 is not just about this season — it’s about proving that the Milton Keynes outfit, despite losing several senior figures, is still equipped to fight at the top with or without Verstappen. Failing to do so would cast serious doubt over the entire Red Bull project in Formula 1.
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