The Formula 1 world is in a stir after a striking statement by former driver and analyst Robert Doornbos, who states that Max Verstappen can say goodbye to Red Bull Racing after 2025. During a recent broadcast of the Ziggo Sport Race Café, who himself drove for Red Bull in 2006, a bomb dropped by suggesting that Verstappen is already mentally ready with the team and is on the way to a new challenge, possibly with Mercedes or Aston Martin. This controversial remark has heavily heated the minds, especially now that Verstappen balances on the edge of a suspension for the Grand Prix of Austria on 29 June 2025.
Doornbos’ pronunciation comes at a sensitive moment for Red Bull. The team is struggling with internal problems, a disappointing RB21 car and a weak second driver, Liam Lawson, who may be replaced by Yuki Tsunoda after two disappointing races. Verstappen, four -time world champion, had to fight hard this season to score points, while McLaren dominates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. According to Doornbos, Verstappen radiates an unusual peace, which is a sign for him that the Dutchman is already saying goodbye in his head. “Max is too relaxed about the situation. He probably thinks: again with the second rider, again crisis management. I don’t see him at Red Bull next year,” said Doornbos, referring to the exit clause in Verstappen’s contract until 2028.
The analyst also pointed to the departure of key figures such as designer Adrian Newey, now with Aston Martin, and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, some Red Bull weakens. “You don’t just replace this kind of people. Max sees the team crumbling,” he added. Doornbos speculated that Mercedes, led by Toto Wolff, is the favorite to bring in Verstappen, especially since George Russell’s contract will be left. “When Wolff Max and Kimi Antonelli gets in one team, he is a bacon,” said Doornbos. Aston Martin, with Honda engines and Newey’s expertise, is another option, but according to Doornbos a greater challenge.
The pronunciation has yielded mixed reactions. Some fans on X support Doornbos “analysis, with comments such as” Max deserves a team that can give him titles, “while others think he is too premature. “Red Bull has made Max great, this is thankless,” wrote a fan. Olav Mol, another Dutch commentator, does not agree with Doornbos and states that Verstappen is satisfied with maximizing results with a lesser car. “Max proves that he is not dependent on the best car,” said Mol.
For Verstappen itself, the focus seems to be on the Austrian GP, ​​where he is a favorite despite the threat of a penalty point that would give him a racer. With five wins on the Red Bull Ring and massive support of the “Orange Army”, the circuit is a home game. But the pressure is great: an incident with rivals such as Norris or Piastri, who may try to provoke him, can change everything. Doornbos warned that Red Bull’s dependence on Verstappen is painfully clear. “Without Max, Red Bull is nowhere. He drags the team through, but how long?”
The speculations about Verstappen’s future are further fed by his own silence. In Montreal he ignored questions about his penalty points, and after the Grand Prix of China, where he became fourth, he seemed remarkably calm despite Red Bull’s problems. This reinforces Doornbos’ suspicion that Verstappen is already thinking about a departure. With an exit clause that gives him freedom when he is in the championship in the championship after the summer break, he is in charge.
The Grand Prix of Austria is not only a battle for points, but also a key moment for Verstappen’s future. Will he make his critics, including Doornbos, silence with a victory, or will a new incident raise the rumors about a break with Red Bull? One thing is certain: Doornbos ’controversial pronunciation has set the Formula 1 world on, and all eyes are focused on Verstappen’s next move.
