Verstappen too hard on Red Bull? 'What needs to be said will be said'

The 2025 season could just be the continuation of last year's second half of the season for Red Bull Racing, with a car that once again cannot bring what Max Verstappen would like. Last season led to some moments when Verstappen was harshly judged in the media about his car. However, according to the Dutchman, it did not cause any resentment between him and his team.

"My relationship with them didn’t change because we are always very honest with each other," he says in conversation with The Guardian. "If I make a mistake it’s also said. We have a very open relationship, we’re very straightforward. So when it’s good it’s good, when it’s bad it’s bad. That’s how we approach it. That works the best if you want to perform at the highest level."

To the outside world, Verstappen's honesty and way of communicating may sometimes be shocking. Certainly a character as straightforward as the four-time world champion is unusual. But for Verstappen, it is perfectly normal. Nor does he feel that his level of brutal honesty is uncomfortable in any way. "Not for me," says the four-time Formula 1 champion.

He goes on to explain that that is the way he grew up: "When things need to be said, they are said. Some people take that a bit more easy, it’s a personality thing but overall it is well received. We are all part of the process," Verstappen says, indicating that the relationship with Red Bull is still fine.