According to former Formula 1 driver Riccardo Patrese, without Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing would struggle to remain competitive and might even drop to the back of the grid. The Italian motorsport legend believes that the team is still benefitting from the legacy of legendary engineer Adrian Newey and warns that a future without both Newey and Verstappen could spell disaster for the reigning champions.
A critical turning point for Red Bull
Fifteen months after its dominant era began, Red Bull Racing now finds itself in a fragile and uncertain phase. Adrian Newey, the team’s iconic technical mastermind, has departed voluntarily, while team principal Christian Horner has reportedly been dismissed. The Anglo-Austrian outfit has lost two of its key pillars—one no longer at the drawing board and the other no longer steering the ship.
As former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya recently stated, the big question now is: what will Max Verstappen do?
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, insists that the Dutch driver is contractually bound to the team until the end of the 2028 season. Verstappen himself has never explicitly confirmed he is planning to leave, but he has been clear that his future will be his decision alone—even if that means paying a massive penalty to break his contract.
Patrese: Without Verstappen and Newey, Red Bull is a midfield team at best
Riccardo Patrese wouldn’t be surprised if Verstappen chose to leave Red Bull Racing. And according to the former Grand Prix winner, losing the Dutch driver would be catastrophic for the team. “If Adrian Newey is no longer there and Max Verstappen also leaves, then Red Bull’s performance level will match what we’re seeing from Yuki Tsunoda. And where is Tsunoda? At the bottom of the standings,” said Patrese in an interview with Prime Casino.
“At this moment,” he continued, “Red Bull is still living off the work and vision of Adrian Newey. But next year, a completely new car is coming—and Adrian didn’t design it. Without a driver like Verstappen, who can make the difference on track, Red Bull will fall to the back of the grid.”
Verstappen to Mercedes? Patrese sees it as a real possibility
Patrese believes that Max Verstappen would seriously consider joining Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team if the opportunity arises. “I think that if Verstappen has the chance to go to Mercedes, he will take it,” said the Italian. “Given the current state of things, I don’t think he’s very happy to stay at Red Bull. For a driver of his caliber, it’s not enough to just settle for the occasional standout performance.”
Patrese went on to praise Verstappen’s ability to achieve results in less-than-ideal conditions, drawing comparisons to legendary drivers from past eras. “Even this year, it’s only thanks to his incredible skill that he manages to get pole positions and sometimes win races. What Max is doing reminds me of what I saw Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna do when I was racing—winning in cars that were clearly inferior,” concluded Patrese, referencing the brilliance of the two all-time greats during their own battles with underperforming machinery.
As the 2025 Formula 1 season unfolds and the 2026 technical revolution approaches, Verstappen’s decisions—and Red Bull’s ability to adapt—could define the next chapter of the sport’s history.
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