Tom Coronel tells Red Bull the ‘only way’ they can secure Max Verstappen’s F1 future amid 2025 woes

Red Bull’s start to the 2025 Formula 1 season has reignited speculation that Max Verstappen could be on the move in the near future.

The Dutchman has won the last four championships on the bounce, winning the 2024 title despite a charge from McLaren after his Red Bull had regressed in performance.

Verstappen admitted his title defence would be difficult in 2025 given how tougher the RB21 is to drive compared to its predecessor. Furthermore, McLaren have taken a huge stride forward to develop their machine, with Mercedes and Ferrari also offering competition.

The Woking-based outfit have won both races in 2025 thus far – Lando Norris in Melbourne and Oscar Piastri in Shanghai. The former leads the championship over Verstappen by eight points, with it being the first time since the 2022 Spanish Grand Prix that the Red Bull driver has not led the standings.

The 27-year-old challenged Norris for the win in Australia in the closing stages but finished off the podium in China. Verstappen has made it no secret that he is struggling to extract the best from the RB21.

Verstappen has left Dutch media ‘flabbergasted’ with his answers. He usually is more open with his native journalists but he seems to be keeping his cards close to his chest in 2025 – his private communications with Red Bull could be an indication of his discontent with the team.

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Tom Coronel tells Red Bull to give a ‘blank cheque’ and to want to win all races with Max Verstappen to keep him

Verstappen could activate a performance clause in his contract if Red Bull are not in the top three of the constructors’ championship. While he is contracted until 2028, the Dutchman could leave early if the team cannot get their act together.

Mercedes and Aston Martin have been heavily linked with the four-time champion in recent months amid the speculation surrounding his future. If Red Bull’s struggles continue, it seems more likely than ever that Verstappen could be on the move.

Speaking via RacingNews365, Tom Coronel says the ‘only way’ to keep Verstappen is to give a ‘blank cheque’. They have to want to win every race with him to stop him from moving elsewhere.

“I’m just trying to indicate, you are team boss and you also have to have your entire business case, you have to have it together,” he said.

“It’s not that easy. You have to give a blank cheque, you have to want to win all Max races and that’s the only way.

“So all that lovemaking and looking, that’s not what it’s about. There’s only one person who can make the decision and that’s just Max at the moment.

“That he just says: ‘Man, I’m going to Mercedes or I’m going for Aston Martin or I’m just going to stay with Red Bull because then I just feel good and I also have a contract with them’. That’s possible, that’s also possible.”

Red Bull’s driver swap for the Japanese Grand Prix may add to Max Verstappen’s frustrations

At the Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen will have his sixth different teammate since joining Red Bull. Yuki Tsinoda has replaced Liam Lawson after just two races in 2025.

The New Zealander has had a dismal start to the season with a Q1 elimination in every qualifying session and no points. Lawson is the fourth driver to be dropped by Red Bull since 2019 – this being the most brutal as it marks the shortest stint at the team in their history.

Lawson’s camp have surprisingly welcomed the move back to Racing Bulls as it will be a low-pressure environment and one he is familiar with. However, it seems to be one his teammate is not supporting.

Helmut Marko admitted Verstappen did not agree with Lawson’s exit as he felt his performances would have improved if the car was easier to drive.

Interestingly, Tsunoda has said he did not find the RB21 difficult to drive on the simulator, with the sensitive front end being suited to his driving style. Nevertheless, with Verstappen’s concerns seemingly being ignored, it does not spell good news for the future.