Jos Verstappen Panics as Adrian Newey’s Exit Threatens Max Verstappen’s F1 Future

“It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode.” – These were the words of Jos Verstappen after the 2024 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix as he expressed his concerns following Christian Horner’s exoneration by Red Bull GmbH. And unfortunately, his fears are finally coming true as things have indeed started to explode within Red Bull Racing with the departure of Adrian Newey.

And Jos can’t help but be worried about the future of his son, Max Verstappen amidst the crisis. Even as Christian Horner was being investigated for allegations of improper behavior towards a female employee, rumors were suggesting that the relationship between Jos and Horner had fallen apart.

And it came to pass during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend when they reportedly had a big argument in the paddock, after which, Jos spoke publically about the risk to the team if Horner stayed. Reportedly, Max Verstappen was also in support of his father and even threatened to quit if important members of the team like Dr. Helmut Marko were to leave.

He stressed how it takes the efforts of multiple key members of the team to drive success. And now one of those important members is on his way out. Red Bull has officially announced that Adrian Newey will no longer stay with the team after 2024 and will be free to join any other team as he pleases. It’s finally time for Jos Verstappen to say, ‘I told you so,’ and he did.

“The team is in danger of falling apart. I was already afraid of that earlier this year,” Jos Verstappen told de Telegraaf. “It is important for internal peace that the key figures remain on board. That is not the case now. Newey is leaving and earlier this year it also looked like Helmut would be sent away. That is not good for the future,” he added.

There is no telling how much the loss of someone like Adrian Newey will cost Red Bull in the short-term vs the long-term, but if Max wants to leave Red Bull at the end of 2024, he now has a very good reason to do so.

Max Verstappen can become the highest-paid driver in the history of Formula 1

It was reported last week that the Verstappen camp was set to meet with Toto Wolff and other key members of the Mercedes Formula 1 team to talk about their potential future together. It was mentioned in the report that money was not an issue for Mercedes if Max Verstappen agreed to join the team. And with the departure of Adrian Newey confirmed, Mercedes’ offer might just be enough to lure the Dutchman away from Red Bull.

A recent report from The Sun newspaper is suggesting that Mercedes is offering a staggering £128 million annually to Max Verstappen. If the Dutch driver accepts this deal, he will become the highest-paid Formula 1 driver in the history of the sport.

Should Verstappen, too. leave Red Bull Racing at the end of 2024? What are your thoughts on the matter?