Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium – July 26, 2025 – The Formula 1 paddock was thrown into chaos on the eve of the Belgian Grand Prix as Jos Verstappen, father of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, issued a dramatic ultimatum to Red Bull’s new team principal, Laurent Mekies. According to sources close to the team, Jos demanded that Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko be sacked immediately, threatening that Max would boycott the weekend’s race if the demand was not met. In a stunning turn of events, Mekies responded with a decision that has sent shockwaves through the sport.
The controversy erupted late Friday evening, just hours after Max Verstappen qualified second for the sprint race at Spa-Francorchamps, behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Jos Verstappen, a former F1 driver and a vocal figure in his son’s career, reportedly confronted Mekies in a heated exchange in the Red Bull hospitality suite. Witnesses claim Jos accused Marko of overstepping his advisory role and undermining Max’s position within the team. “If Helmut stays, Max doesn’t race,” Jos allegedly told Mekies, citing long-standing tensions between the Verstappen camp and Marko’s influence within Red Bull.
The ultimatum comes at a critical juncture for Red Bull, who are already grappling with a turbulent 2025 season. The team is fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, 288 points behind leaders McLaren, and Max trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points in the Drivers’ standings. The recent sacking of long-time team principal Christian Horner, replaced by Mekies just two weeks ago, has only heightened the sense of instability within the Milton Keynes-based outfit. Mekies, who previously led Racing Bulls, now faces the daunting task of steadying a team on the brink of collapse while keeping their star driver committed.
Sources indicate that Jos Verstappen’s frustration stems from Marko’s continued influence over team decisions, particularly regarding car development and driver line-ups. Marko, a Red Bull stalwart since the team’s inception in 2005, has been a close ally of the Verstappen family but has also clashed with Jos in the past. The 82-year-old Austrian’s outspoken style and strategic decisions have often sparked controversy, and Jos reportedly believes Marko’s presence is hindering Red Bull’s ability to provide Max with a championship-contending car in 2025.
In a dramatic response to Jos’s threat, Mekies made a shocking decision: he reportedly suspended all non-essential team operations for the weekend to hold an emergency meeting with Red Bull’s senior leadership, including CEO Oliver Mintzlaff. According to insiders, Mekies refused to bow to Jos’s demand to fire Marko, instead proposing a compromise to redefine Marko’s role within the team. Mekies is said to have assured Jos that Marko’s influence would be limited to strategic oversight, with operational control fully in the hands of the team principal. However, it remains unclear whether this will satisfy the Verstappen camp.
“Laurent is in an impossible position,” said a senior Red Bull engineer, speaking anonymously. “Jos is pushing hard, but sacking Helmut would be a disaster for team morale and continuity. Mekies is trying to find a middle ground, but with Max’s future at Red Bull already uncertain, this could backfire spectacularly.”
Max Verstappen, who has remained tight-lipped about the ultimatum, was seen leaving the Red Bull garage late Friday night without commenting
