Max Verstappen's Father Adds Fuel to the F1 Finale Fire With Latest Dig on Red Bull

In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, where every tenth of a second counts and rivalries burn hotter than exhaust fumes, the last thing anyone needs is more drama. But, of course, that’s never stopped Jos Verstappen.

Max Verstappen’s ever-present father couldn’t resist stirring the pot, throwing a bit of shade at Red Bull just as his son gears up for a nail-biting, three-way championship showdown in Abu Dhabi. It seems the Verstappen camp believes Max is the main character, and everyone else—including his own team—is just a supporting actor.

Jos, in a classic stage father moment, suggested that the entire grid isn’t scared of Red Bull Racing; they’re scared of Max. “People are now realizing how special Max is,” he proclaimed, with all the subtlety of a V10 engine at full throttle.

“You see that with other teams too, they don’t take Red Bull into account, they take Max into account.” Ouch. While he’s not entirely wrong—Max has single-handedly dragged this championship fight back from the dead—it’s a bold statement to make about the team that, you know, builds the car. It’s a bit like saying people only watch The Avengers for Iron Man. Sure, he’s a huge draw, but he’s not exactly flying around in a suit he built in a cave anymore.

1. Is Jos Verstappen Right About Max?

This season has been an absolute rollercoaster. After the Dutch GP, Max was a staggering 104 points behind the leader. The championship looked dead and buried. But then, Red Bull pulled a rabbit out of a hat with a series of crucial upgrades, and Max, being Max, went on a tear. Five wins and three podiums later, he’s miraculously just 12 points behind McLaren’s Lando Norris. He’s not just in the fight; he’s a genuine threat, ready to snatch a fifth consecutive title from right under McLaren’s nose. And his father is here to make sure everyone knows who to thank for it. Let’s be real for a second. Does Jos have a point? Absolutely. Max Verstappen is a generational talent. The way he has clawed his way back into contention is nothing short of legendary. He has been the driving force, a relentless competitor who refuses to give up. The championship would have been a snoozefest without his comeback. When Max is on the grid, the entire dynamic of a race changes. Other teams do strategize specifically against him because they know he can pull off the impossible. He is the disruptor, the chaos agent who can turn a “boring and straightforward” race into an edge-of-your-seat thriller, as he proved in Qatar.

2. The Statement on Red Bull

But to downplay Red Bull’s role is, frankly, a bit ridiculous. This isn’t a one-man show. The team’s engineers and strategists have been working miracles. Remember that “calamitous” strategy call from McLaren? That was Red Bull’s gain. They made the right calls, and Max executed them flawlessly. It’s a partnership, a “proper team effort,” as Max himself has acknowledged. Perhaps the memo didn’t reach his father. This isn’t just about one superstar; it’s about a well-oiled machine firing on all cylinders, from the pit wall to the cockpit. Jos also couldn’t help but twist the knife when discussing the pressure on McLaren. “I can imagine there’s some nervousness at McLaren, because this might be both drivers’ only chance at a world title,” he mused. Talk about mind games. He’s basically suggesting that Norris and Oscar Piastri are one-shot wonders, while his son operates on a different level. It’s a classic move from the father of a champion: plant seeds of doubt in the opposition’s minds and crank up the pressure until they crack.

3. The Psychological Warfare of a Title Fight

And McLaren has shown some cracks. The disqualification in Las Vegas was a self-inflicted wound, and the strategy blunder in Qatar was a gift to Red Bull. They’ve stumbled, and now they head to Abu Dhabi with the weight of expectation on their shoulders. Norris remains the favorite, but with a charging Verstappen in his mirrors, that 12-point lead will feel a lot smaller. Meanwhile, Max is going in with a “nothing to lose” attitude. He’s already had an “amazing season,” and if he doesn’t win, he’ll just try again next year. That’s a terrifying mindset for your rivals to face—a driver with all the momentum and none of the pressure. As we head into the finale, the stage is set for an epic conclusion. It’s the seasoned champion against the young pretenders, Red Bull’s grit against McLaren’s raw speed. And in the background, a proud, outspoken father is making sure his son gets all the credit. Whether it’s strategic genius or just unfiltered pride, Jos Verstappen has added another delicious layer of tension to a championship that’s already bursting with it. Grab your popcorn.

• Tags:
• Max Verstappen