Jos Verstappen was right: If only Red Bull had listened to him

Certainly, Jos Verstappen can be quite blunt at times. But it's precisely because of his clear way of upbringing that Max Verstappen has grown into the top driver he is today. Yet, anyone who knows Verstappen sr. even slightly, sees him as a genuinely honest guy, someone who always puts the interests of others before his own - like that of Max.

In that light, Jos Verstappen's warnings last year should be acknowledged. No, he wasn't stirring up trouble or waging a personal vendetta against Christian Horner. All the former driver had in mind was what was best for Max. That's why Verstappen was so outspoken; something often not perceived as such by the British press and some within Red Bull.

Both internally and externally, Senior Verstappen was ridiculed. Jos Verstappen was portrayed as the man responsible for the unrest, by calling for Horner's departure. 'But why should the Brit leave,' was the counter-question. After all, under Horner's leadership, Red Bull was leading the F1 Drivers' title race with Max Verstappen and had been cleared in an 'independent' investigation of crossing the line of conduct.

As one of the few, Verstappen knew better. He saw exactly how technical development stalled and different factions formed within the organization. Note, this is known now, not then. Verstappen also predicted the exodus of skilled personnel; in that, too, he was right. People like Jonathan Wheatley and Adrian Newey are now working elsewhere.

Red Bull Racing has now become a mid-fielder in Formula 1. Will things improve quickly? That remains highly uncertain. But Jos Verstappen can never be blamed for that, he was the one who sounded the alarm in time.

But Verstappen sr., was a voice in the wilderness. In hindsight, there's no other conclusion to be drawn than that Verstappen's concerns should have been heeded and acted upon by the management of Red Bull GmbH. The fact that this did not happen is currently visibly painful.