Monte Carlo, Monaco – Jos Verstappen, father of four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, made a notable return to the F1 paddock at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix after an extended absence from accompanying his son at races. His presence, marked by a candid interview with Dutch media, included a pointed warning to Red Bull Racing: deliver a championship-caliber car for Max, or face the consequences. The remarks come at a pivotal moment in the 2025 season, with Red Bull struggling to keep pace with a dominant McLaren team and Max trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 49 points after nine races.
Jos, a former F1 driver and a significant influence in Max’s career, explained that his absence from recent Grands Prix stemmed from personal priorities. “I haven’t been around as much because my wife is dealing with health issues, and I need to be there for her,” he said. “That’s more important to me right now. My passion for F1 isn’t what it used to be, but I still want the absolute best for Max.” Despite his reduced presence, Jos made it clear he remains invested in his son’s success and is prepared to hold Red Bull accountable if they fail to provide a car capable of challenging for the title.
The Monaco GP, won by McLaren’s Lando Norris, exposed Red Bull’s ongoing struggles, with Max Verstappen unable to match the pace of the McLaren drivers. Jos’s comments reflect a growing frustration with Red Bull’s performance, echoing sentiments he has voiced in the past. Posts on X from 2024 show Jos criticizing Red Bull’s car development, with one stating, “The fact that Max has to revert to an older car says it all. The rest of the season will be very difficult.” His latest remarks at Monaco suggest these concerns have not been addressed, as Red Bull’s RB21 car continues to lag behind McLaren’s MCL39.
“If things don’t go well, Red Bull needs to look in the mirror,” Jos declared. “I won’t just sit back if Max doesn’t have a car to fight for the lead. He’s doing everything he can, but he needs the right tools.” The warning comes amid speculation about Max’s future, with former Red Bull mechanic Calum Nicholas predicting that Max could retire at the end of 2025 if he secures a fifth consecutive title. However, Max’s recent comments after the Spanish Grand Prix, where he called Red Bull “too slow” to compete for the championship, suggest his patience may be wearing thin.
Red Bull’s challenges extend beyond car performance. Max’s collision with George Russell in Spain, which resulted in a 10-second penalty and three penalty points, has left him one point shy of a race ban. This incident, described by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko as a “serious misjudgment,” underscores the pressure Max faces as he battles a competitive field without a car to match his talent. Jos’s remarks at Monaco may serve as a rallying cry for Red Bull to address these issues ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, scheduled for June 13-15.
The Verstappen family’s influence on Max’s career is well-documented, with Jos often described as a ruthless mentor who shaped his son’s relentless drive. Sources close to the family highlight Max’s emotional intelligence, inherited from his mother Sophie, but his competitive fire is unmistakably his father’s. As Red Bull navigates a challenging 2025 season, Jos’s warning underscores the stakes: deliver a car worthy of Max’s talent, or risk losing the sport’s biggest star. With the championship slipping away, Red Bull must act swiftly to avoid a reckoning.
