Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen has shown throughout his Formula 1 career that he’s willing to push the boundaries of the sport.
Lando Norris was the driver who battled with Max Verstappen the closest throughout 2024 and while he didn’t always come out on top, both drivers used the sport’s current ruleset to their advantage at different points in the season.
Verstappen allowed Norris to pass his off the road in Austin, earning the McLaren driver a penalty in the process.
However, the British driver came out on top in Mexico City when his McLaren had a clear pace advantage over Verstappen’s Red Bull.
Damon Hill was among the pundits upset with Verstappen’s driving in Mexico City, but ultimately, the 27-year-old understood how the rules worked better than any of his rivals which played a small part in him becoming a four-time world champion.
The other controversial moment involving Verstappen last season was his feud with George Russell that erupted during the Qatar Grand Prix weekend.
Russell and Verstappen are likely to clash again this season and while Mercedes’ new number one driver fancies his chances, the Dutchman has been unstoppable since winning his first title in 2021.
Bernie Collins was speaking on The Red Flags Podcast about what she’s constantly hearing from Red Bull staff when it comes to working with Verstappen.
Collins previously admitted her frustration with Red Bull for Sergio Perez’s exit, but was much more positive about how Verstappen is regarded by those who interact with him on a regular basis.
Bernie Collins dismisses ‘false’ Max Verstappen narrative after Red Bull conversations
Talking about the four-time world champion and the relationship he has with his team, Collins said: “Verstappen, we don’t know, it’s really hard to benchmark drivers against drivers.
“If Verstappen is obviously phenomenal at what he does, you know, he is relentless at his work.
“And everyone that I know that works with Verstappen loves him. So, the impression on the outside that he’s not a nice guy, I think is false because everyone that’s worked with him loves him.
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“It’s easy to love a driver when they’re fast as well. But Red Bull really need to get that second seat working to continue winning constructors [championships], whoever is in it.
“And so I’m not quite sure where it’s gone wrong. But it’s a pity to see Checo go.”
Red Bull must keep Max Verstappen happy to cement changes of long-term success
The Dutchman has a new teammate in Liam Lawson arriving in 2025, but the focus will still very much be Red Bull’s number one driver going forward.
Verstappen’s current contract runs until 2028, although several teams are desperate to sign him if they get a sense that he wants to move on.
The trouble for Red Bull is despite their comprehensive junior program, they don’t have a direct replacement for Verstappen ready in case he decides to move on.
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Putting that kind of pressure on Lawson would make very little sense, while Red Bull don’t appear to have any faith in Yuki Tsunoda.
It would mean needing to dip into the driver’s market to replace him, but given how Red Bull have spent years developing their cars to suit Verstappen’s style, even bringing in someone of the calibre of Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri wouldn’t guarantee success.
It’s encouraging to hear how popular Verstappen is at Red Bull and how happy the staff around him are, but any misstep when it comes to the team’s progress and Max’s father Jos won’t hesitate to try and find a new seat for his son in the Formula 1 paddock.
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