Verstappen's manager raises the alarm and demands improvements from Red Bull 'quickly'

Vermeulen stated that the focus right now is on performance at Red Bull Racing: “We have a contract with Red Bull and are committed, as we have been for eleven years. Right now, we primarily want performance to return. And quickly. Max wants to get the best out of the material he has at his disposal, but we also realize that the championship is no longer within reach.”

Vermeulen’s remarks align with what GPblog has understood. Verstappen prefers to stay with Red Bull, but both the four-time world champion and his team want to see performance improvements—especially for 2026, though 2025 is also important.

Additionally, Verstappen and his camp want the internal unrest at Red Bull to be resolved once and for all. If these issues aren’t addressed, the door to a possible move to Mercedes could open.

Verstappen’s manager also addressed rumours about a potential switch to Mercedes for the first time. According to Vermeulen, it’s “not so surprising” that there have been contacts with Toto Wolff, the Silver Arrows’ team principal.

He briefly touched on the topic of performance clauses, stressing that even if one could be triggered, “it might not lead to anything.”

During media day, Verstappen was often asked about rumours of a possible departure from Red Bull Racing. However, the Austrian team’s driver said he had nothing more to add beyond what he already shared over the weekend at the Red Bull Ring.