Latest news with #MaxVerstappen
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Why Red Bull's upgrades are crucial for Max Verstappen at Belgian Grand Prix
Max Verstappen (Image credit: Instagram) Max Verstappen is currently standing on the boundary line of the Formula 1 Championship with only two wins in 12 races this season. He is currently in the number 3 spot in the Formula 1 Driver Standings, but if he slips out of the top three, he could activate the release clause in his contract with Red Bull. Now, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has said the updates that will be introduced at Red Bull at the Belgian Grand Prix have little ground to fall into place, and if they don't work out as expected, Verstappen could lose all his chances of claiming the championship. Helmut Marko on Red Bull upgrades at Belgian Grand Prix Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko looks hopeful about the Red Bull updates to be introduced at the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix and the following Hungarian Grand Prix. Marko told OE24, 'There are still 332 points up for grabs, which is a decent package. We hope the updates we're bringing to Spa and Budapest will have an impact.' The Belgian Grand Prix is scheduled from July 25–26. But since there is a Sprint race as well, only one practice session has been included in the schedule. The other two free practice sessions have been omitted to make space for the Sprint qualifying and then the Sprint. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo When asked if having an additional Sprint could be beneficial for the team to grab points, Marko said, 'Yes and no. On the one hand, there are more points up for grabs. But on the other hand, two practice sessions are cancelled. We can't afford a disastrous Friday practice and then get the car into the right tyre window. Everything has to be right, right from the start.' If Red Bull upgrades fail to work at Belgian Grand Prix Helmut Marko, however, also indicated that if the updates fail to help Verstappen improve his race performance, they may stop thinking about remaining in the championship at all. Max Verstappen is currently third in the Driver Standings with 165 points. Mercedes driver George Russell is a close fourth with 147 points. If he slips out of the top three, he may be free to leave Red Bull before his contract comes to an end. On the other hand, McLaren's Oscar Piastri is leading with 234 points and has his teammate Lando Norris in a close second with 226 points. Also Read: Inside Max Verstappen's yacht outing with Kelly Piquet, daughter Lily: Drinks, surfing — but no Toto Wolff But the Belgian Grand Prix is Verstappen's home race, and he has won it three times consecutively — in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Newsweek
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Guenther Steiner Opens up On Max Verstappen Red Bull Exit Timeline
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has revealed when Max Verstappen could part ways with the Red Bull Racing Formula One team. Steiner opened up amid reports of Verstappen's potential exit to join Mercedes in 2026. Mercedes driver George Russell admitted that his contract extension talks were on hold because of his team's ongoing discussions with Verstappen. Russell's team boss, Toto Wolff, acknowledged the interest in signing the four-time world champion, but hinted that Verstappen will likely not switch teams in 2026. Red Bull has been struggling to solve issues with its RB21 F1 car, as McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris dominate the grid for the 2025 championship. While Verstappen remains in contention for the championship, mathematically, Red Bull will have to bounce back with a significant performance boost to help the Dutch driver secure his fifth title. The recent exit of Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has added a layer of uncertainty to Verstappen's future with the team, despite his contract lasting until the end of 2028. F1 enters a new era of regulations next year with new cars powered by an equal ratio of electric power and internal combustion. As a result, it is nearly impossible to predict the pecking order for 2026. Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing waves on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 06, 2025 in Northampton, England. Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing waves on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 06, 2025 in Northampton, believes it would be risky for Verstappen to shift teams after the 2025 season, given the big reset next year. Thus, he has predicted that the 27-year-old driver would likely part ways with Red Bull after assessing the team's performance next year. In an interview with Talksport, he was asked if Verstappen would leave Red Bull in the future. As quoted by RacingNews365, he said: "I would say yes, at any point, I don't think for next year. "My take is he will stay where he is next year to see how the cars next year are with the new regulations, new engines, new cars, everything is new. Nobody really knows who is where, who will be good, no idea. "So if you make a change now, you take a big risk, and at this stage, I think he maybe stays where he is for next year, and maybe end of next year, he sees how the cards stack, who has a good car, and then tries to get in the best car. "And normally, if you are the best driver, you have a chance to get in the best car, because they are the people who want you. "And he's a very wise guy, very well advised by his father and his manager. And I think he just waits it out for next year. "End of next year, he'll make a decision where he will be going for '27."
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Red Bull Unlikely to Rebound After Horner Exit, According to Schumacher
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Red Bull's competitiveness will be under the scanner when Formula One returns next weekend for the Belgian Grand Prix, given the sudden ousting of former team principal Christian Horner. Former Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher believes Red Bull will be unable to add significant performance to its car, especially in 2026, which could push Max Verstappen to Mercedes. Red Bull hasn't had a great start to the 2025 season. The campaign began with Verstappen struggling with his RB21 F1 car, which followed speculation about his potential switch to Mercedes. Following the British Grand Prix, Red Bull decided to part ways with Horner, adding to the team's uncertain future, especially considering that F1 enters a new era of regulations next year. Horner has been replaced by former Racing Bulls team principal, Laurent Mekies. Related: Red Bull to Part Ways With Yuki Tsunoda After 2025 Season: Report Red Bull has been developing the power units for the 2026 car for the first time, collaborating with automotive giant Ford under the Red Bull Powertrains banner. But with the team struggling to solve issues on the current car, Schumacher doubts Red Bull's 2026 car, designed by technical director Pierre Waché, will match the performance of the cars designed by former Red Bull technical director Adrian Newey, who moved to Aston Martin this year. Revealing that Horner's exit won't change the technical side of things at Red Bull for the short-term future, Schumacher said on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Gianpiero Lambiase, Head of Racing of Oracle Red Bull Racing in the garage during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great... Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Gianpiero Lambiase, Head of Racing of Oracle Red Bull Racing in the garage during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 05, 2025 in Northampton, England. More"The change of team principal will not change anything in the technical team for the time being. Designer Pierre Waché will continue to build the car next year. "It almost looks as if he will not be able to close this gap, replace Adrian Newey in any way and build a car capable of winning. Red Bull will therefore face a difficult time." Mercedes driver George Russell admitted recently that his contract extension discussions were on hold due to the team's ongoing talks with Verstappen. Team principal Toto Wolff also acknowledged the discussions, but stressed that Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli will likely form the 2026 driver lineup. Despite the assurance, rumors surrounding Verstappen and Mercedes continue to do the rounds after Horner's exit. Schumacher added that the four-time world champion will have to consider a Mercedes switch if he intends to find performance next year. He said: "Verstappen is in a dilemma. The signs are not good for Red Bull at the moment. If Max Verstappen wants to have short-term success next year, he will have to look elsewhere. "I therefore believe that the journey is heading towards Mercedes. I could imagine that he himself is still struggling because he is naturally attached to Red Bull."
The Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Red Bull ‘to TERMINATE Tsunoda's contract and considering Brit sensation, 17, to be Verstappen's next team-mate'
YUKI TSUNODA is reportedly heading for Red Bull's ever revolving exit door with Max Verstappen set to get a new team-mate for the 2026 season. But four-time world champion Verstappen could leave himself, with Red Bull desperate for their prized asset to turn down growing interest from Mercedes. 5 5 Tsunoda is set to be a victim of a full circle moment after he brutally replaced Liam Lawson to partner Verstappen just two races into the current season in March. The rumour mill said it was former team principal Christian Horner, who was sacked after 20 years this month, who wanted Lawson out so quickly in March. But it seems Red Bull will keep to the same replacement scheme without Horner at the helm, with Tsunoda, 25, next in line for the chop. Ever since Daniel Ricciardo left Red Bull at the end of 2018, drivers have rarely lasted more than a season with the team, with the team's upgrade and championship focus always on Verstappen. Tsunoda's has endured a miserable season, scoring scrappy points on just three Grand Prix weekends, contributing just seven of the teams 172 total at the halfway point in the campaign. According to a GPblog report, the decision has already been made to terminate Tsunoda's contract at the end of the season, although he will remain in place until then. The Japanese star sits 17th in the drivers standings, is the lowest ranked non-rookie and has gone five rounds without scoring a single point. Tsunoda's qualifying results have disappointed in particular, after he escaped a near-death crash in Q1 at Imola, before managing P12 in Monaco, P20 in Spain, P11 in Canada, P18 in Austria and P12 at Silverstone. In contrast, Verstappen, 27, secured his fourth pole of the season at Silverstone, but finished fifth behind Lewis Hamilton after skidding off the track in the rain. With advisor Helmut Marko back in charge of driver line-ups after Horner's shock dismissal, Red Bull are likely to look inward to their Racing Bulls junior team for their next F1 star. Glamorous TikToker Bianca Bustamante gives behind-the-scenes look at a Formula E race week One option is going back to Lawson, who has picked himself back up after being removed from his Red Bull seat, sitting above Tsunoda in the drivers standings. But Marko, 82, is reportedly pushing for a new face and wants to promote 20-year-old rookie Isack Hadjar from Racing Bulls next season. Hadjar entered this season as something of a wildcard after his seat came about after the late decision to sack Sergio Perez caused an opening at Racing Bulls. But the decision to call him up now looks like a masterstroke, as the French-Algerian youngster sits just outside the top 10 in the drivers standings - with one fewer point than Lawson and Tsunoda COMBINED. 5 5 But teenage Brit Arvid Lindblad is also being considered to step up from Formula Two after completing his first free practice session at the British Grand Prix on July 6. The 17-year-old has also been undergoing extensive TPC outings behind the scenes as he prepares to follow in Kimi Antonelli's footsteps, speedily climbing up the feeder series ladder. Lindblad was born in 2007 and raised in Surrey to his Swedish motorcross racing father and Indian mother. Meanwhile, Tsunoda will be the latest in a long line of Red Bull second-seat victims, following in the footsteps of Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez and Lawson. The F1 season gets back underway in Belgium on July 27, with Verstappen allegedly already having met up with Mercedes chief Toto Wolff while on holiday in Sardinia.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Max Verstappen's manager reacts to Christian Horner's Red Bull F1 sacking
Max Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen insists Christian Horner's sacking 'changes nothing' regarding the Dutchman's commitment to Red Bull Racing. Horner, 51, was sensationally relieved of his duties as Red Bull F1 CEO on Wednesday morning, with Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies replacing him. Horner was embroiled in a scandal last year involving a female colleague alleging 'inappropriate behaviour' at him, though Horner was cleared twice. Throughout the whole episode, Verstappen's father, Jos, made it public that he believed Red Bull would 'explode' if Horner did not leave his role. Verstappen, who has a £50m-a-year contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, has been heavily linked with a move to Mercedes in recent weeks. Aston Martin are also interested in the four-time world champion, but Vermeulen has reiterated his driver's commitment to the team in light of Horner's exit. "This is a decision Red Bull has made, and we have taken note of it,' Vermeulen said in a statement. 'It is up to Red Bull to share the background information regarding the decision. In Red Bull's view, this is the best way forward. 'It is up to the parent company to hire people and make strategic choices. Nothing changes for us. "We have a contract with Red Bull and are committed, as we have been for eleven years. Our main goal now is to get performance back. And quickly. 'Max wants to get the most out of the equipment he has at his disposal, but we also realise that the championship is no longer within his reach.' Verstappen is now 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri at the halfway stage of the season, though has won two races this year. Max Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen insists Christian Horner's sacking does not change anything (Getty Images) Horner has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect (Getty Images) The 27-year-old started Sunday's British Grand Prix on pole but finished fifth after spinning in wet conditions behind the safety car. Verstappen has repeatedly reiterated his short-term commitment to Red Bull, but Mercedes boss Toto Wolff made it known recently that he is keeping an eye on the prospect of signing the Dutchman. Verstappen's arch rival, George Russell, only has a contract in place at Mercedes until the end of the season. The next race of the season is the Belgian Grand Prix (25-27 July).
