The atmosphere at Red Bull Racing, the team that has dominated Formula 1 in recent years, seems to be more tense than ever. Max Verstappen, the two-time world champion and star driver of the team, has dropped a media bombshell that has shaken the paddock. According to recent statements, Verstappen would have spoken openly about the internal situation with his teammate, Sergio “Checo” Pérez, revealing what many suspected: not everything is as harmonious as it seems at Red Bull .

During a post-race interview, Verstappen surprised everyone by unexpectedly addressing rumours about his relationship with Checo Pérez and the dynamics within the team. “In this sport, there is always favouritism, difficult decisions and sacrifices. But at Red Bull, we are both expected to give 100%… although we are not always on the same page,” said the Dutchman, revealing obvious tension.

Although he did not mention Checo directly, many interpreted these statements as a criticism of his performance this season. Perez, who has had bright moments but also costly mistakes, has faced growing doubts about his future at the team.

For the Mexican driver, these words come at a difficult time. Although he has had important victories and is considered one of the best teammates Verstappen has ever had, the Dutchman’s constant dominance has put Checo in a delicate position. His inconsistent performances have led to speculation about whether Red Bull is looking for alternatives for 2025.

“I have nothing to prove to anyone,” Perez said when asked about Verstappen’s comments. “My job is to race at the highest level and help the team win championships. The rest is just noise.”

F1 fans have been debating for years whether Red Bull really offers a level playing field to its two drivers. Criticism of the team often centres on the perception that the focus is always on Verstappen, leaving Perez in a secondary role.

However, team boss Christian Horner has repeatedly defended his drivers: “Both are extremely talented. Max is in the prime of his career, but that doesn’t take anything away from Checo’s hard work and dedication.”

The controversy quickly ignited the social networks. While Verstappen’s fans applauded him for “telling the truth without filters”, Checo’s followers have come to his defence, accusing Red Bull of not offering him the same opportunities.

“If they don’t give Checo the same car, how do they expect him to fight Max?” commented one user on X (formerly Twitter). Another, more direct, wrote: “Max is good, but without a team to support him, he wouldn’t win as much. Checo deserves more respect.”

With this new controversy, the future of Red Bull Racing could be at stake. If the tensions between Verstappen and Perez are not resolved soon, the team could face an internal challenge that affects its dominance on the track.

Some pundits are already speculating about possible changes to the lineup for next season, mentioning names like Lando Norris or Yuki Tsunoda as candidates to replace Perez if things don’t improve.

Formula 1 is a high-pressure sport, and the relationship between teammates can be as important as performance on the track. With Max Verstappen publicly venting his frustration and Checo Perez under increasing pressure, Red Bull is facing one of its biggest internal challenges in years.

Can the team weather this storm and maintain its hegemony? Or will this be the start of a dramatic change in its line-up? One thing is certain: tensions are at their highest, and all eyes are on Red Bull Racing .