Martin Brundle: Jos Verstappen Now Red Bull's De Facto Team Principal
Why it matters: Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle claims Jos Verstappen has effectively taken charge of Red Bull since early 2024, influencing Christian Horner's recent departure and the team's future direction.
The big picture: Christian Horner's long tenure as Red Bull team principal ended recently, with Laurent Mekies named as his successor. This followed a turbulent period marked by public disputes with Jos Verstappen, who famously called for Horner's resignation in Bahrain 2024, warning of team instability. Brundle's comments shed light on the perceived power shift within the team.
The details:
- Jos Verstappen's Influence: Brundle states he has viewed Jos Verstappen as Red Bull's de facto team principal since the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2024. He suggests the Verstappen camp was fully aware of and consented to Horner's dismissal, ensuring Max's continued commitment to the team.
- Team Changes: Following the internal controversies, Red Bull has reportedly seen key figures like Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley (who moved to Aston Martin and Sauber, respectively, according to the article) depart. Concerns about the team's competitiveness have also surfaced, with Verstappen reportedly achieving only two victories so far in F1 2025.
- New Leadership Roles: Helmut Marko is now seen as Red Bull's primary on-site representative at race weekends. Laurent Mekies, as the new team boss, is expected to bring professionalism and deep knowledge of the sport.
What's next: Max Verstappen is now expected to remain with Red Bull through the F1 2026 season, ending speculation about a move to Mercedes. This decision is anticipated to pave the way for George Russell to finalize a new multi-year contract with Mercedes, likely extending until the end of 2027. His teammate, Kimi Antonelli, is also expected to be retained for F1 2026.