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Max Verstappen celebrating with Helmut Marko in Austin - Photo: RacePictures

'Verstappen has knitted his team around him like a true champion'

23:37, 24 Oct

byOlly Darcy

Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley has called Max Verstappen "a force of nature" amid his stunning return to the 2025 world title battle.

"I'm not surprised Red Bull has been able to go on top of the issues. It's been great to see a championship threat emerge."

- Jonathan Wheatley

The four-time world champion looked destined to miss out on a fifth consecutive world title, winning just two races before the summer break with a struggling RB21 at his disposal.

Red Bull then brought a floor update to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, and since then, the Dutchman and the Austrian team have revitalised their season, winning three out of the last four races to cut the drivers' standings deficit from 104 points to just 40 points.

"I was lucky to work with Max from a very young age," said Wheatley, the former Sporting Director at Red Bull, in Friday's constructors' press conference at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen celebrating with his team after winning the United States Grand Prix - Photo: RacePictures

"I really, really enjoyed working with him, that relationship, the whole journey, watching him mature, and it seems weird talking about it, because he's the whole deal now, he's a fully rounded world champion, extraordinary talent.

"Of course, he's knitting his team around him. Where he thinks his performance, that's what he's looking for, he's seeking out all the time. He's a force of nature.

"But that team around Max is established, well known, and there is strength and depth in the organisation. Clearly, what they're doing is they're working very well together. On a personal level, I'm really pleased for Laurent as well; he's a good friend of mine, and it's nice to see him in this purple patch at Red Bull.

'I wouldn't write Verstappen off in any situation'

With the scintillating form of Verstappen and Red Bull, championship leader Oscar Piastri, who has seen his lead diminish in just four Grands Prix, along with McLaren teammate Lando Norris, have been warned about the charging Dutchman.

Lewis Hamilton gave the pair some "cut-throat" advice concerning battling Verstappen, and Wheatley is not prepared to write the Red Bull man off until the title is decided.

"Well, I wouldn't write Max Verstappen off in any situation, I could imagine," the Sauber boss continued.

Max Verstappen driving the RB21 at COTA - Photo: Race Pictures

"But I can only liken it a little bit to the performance that Sauber put on the car this year. When the margins are so tight, maybe the difference isn't so huge.

"I know that team, and the team has strength and depth at every level, and I'm not surprised that they've been able to go on top of the issues. But it's been great to see a championship threat emerge, and I think it gives us all something to be excited about. I'm enjoying watching it myself."

There have already been some words exchanged in Mexico City before racing gets underway, with McLaren team principal Andrea Stella stating that Red Bull 'are happy to give up on 2026' after their floor update.

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