Jos Verstappen, the father of Formula 1 world champion Max, has attended fewer races this year. That may have helped to calm the waters at Red Bull given his tense relationship with team principal Christian Horner.
In fact, the Monaco Grand Prix marks Verstappen Sr’s first appearance in the F1 paddock since pre-season testing. The team’s PR department will perhaps welcome his withdrawal given that he’s notoriously outspoken in the media.
And sure enough, the Dutchman has potentially stirred up an inter-team dispute in an interview with De Telegraaf. Red Bull have repeatedly questioned McLaren’s compliance with the rules this season.
The Woking outfit have won five of the first seven Grands Prix this year, opening up a 132-point lead over Mercedes at the top of the constructors’ championship. Red Bull are a further 16 points behind in third.
| Position | Constructors’ Standings | Points |
| 1 |
McLaren Racing |
279 |
| 2 |
Mercedes-AMG Petronas |
147 |
| 3 |
Red Bull Racing |
131 |
| 4 |
Scuderia Ferrari |
114 |
Horner and co. have repeatedly stated that winning the drivers’ title is their priority. The outlook is far more positive in that championship, with Max Verstappen just 22 points behind Oscar Piastri.
Jos Verstappen glad the FIA are about to close F1 flexi wing loophole after McLaren hint
Red Bull have focused mainly on two areas while scrutinising McLaren’s MCL39. The first is tyre cooling.
They reportedly pointed a thermal imaging camera at the papaya car and found ‘impossible’ cool spots at the rear. Red Bull bombarded the FIA with complaints, but the governing body found the car to be legal.
They did then issue new directives on the matter, with Red Bull leaking details to the press. McLaren produced perhaps their poorest race showing of the year at Imola as Verstappen took a dominant victory.
Their other gripe is the front wing used by Piastri and Lando Norris. Jos Verstappen hinted that McLaren have benefited from the ‘flexible’ part for ‘far too long’.
“For the fans and for Formula 1 this is an ideal scenario,” he said. “They want to have an exciting season and not someone who wins 20 races, so that it becomes monotonous.
“But I do think that there should be a level playing field. Like with those flexible front wings, which will only be banned in Spain from next week. Then certain teams have benefited from that for too long. I don’t think that is fair.”
F1 paddock chatter suggests Max Verstappen will be disappointed by new front-wing rules
As Verstappen alluded to, the FIA will introduce stricter load tests in Barcelona to try and cut out front-wing flexibility. This is technically forbidden under the regulations.
Ferrari are also optimistic that they can make gains thanks to the new guidelines. However, F1 paddock figures don’t expect McLaren to suffer significantly.
Verstappen Jr has said Red Bull should focus on themselves rather than trying to slow others down. But these investigations take place every year in F1.
After the FIA granted approval, Red Bull are working to copy McLaren’s tyre-cooling techniques. There are major regulation changes looming, but Andrea Stella’s squad could replicate their methods with the new generation of cars.
