The world of Formula 1 is no stranger to high-stakes challenges, but recent events at Red Bull Racing have sent a shockwave through the paddock. Stunningly, Jos Verstappen, father of quadruple world champion Max Verstappen, issued an uncompromising ultimatum to the team’s new director, Laurent Mekies. According to sources close to the stable, Jos declared: “If Red Bull does not change the car engine, Max Verstappen will decide not to participate in the next race.” This statement, delivered with unwavering conviction, has placed immense pressure on Mekies, who responded with an immediate and weighty decision that could reshape the team’s future. As the 2025 season looms, tensions at Red Bull are palpable, and the fallout from this deadlock could impact the entire sport.

This explosive situation is explained by the difficult season 2025 of Red Bull 2025. The stable, formerly dominant in Formula 1, is struggling to give its lead this season. The RB21 was prey to performance problems, especially with its powertrain, which did not offer reliability or speed to compete with teams such as McLaren, who took the lead with its formidable MCL39. Max Verstappen, currently third in the pilot championship with 155 points, is 61 points behind Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and 46 points on Lando Norris. The gap seems insurmountable and the frustration within the Verstappen team can be felt. Jos Verstappen, former pilot and avid supporter of his son, never hesitated to express his opinion, and his last comments underline the growing dissatisfaction with Red Bull’s process.

The timing of the Ultimatum of Jos is particularly important because it comes shortly after the Grand Prix of Belgium in Spa-Francorchamps, 13th race of the 2025 season. This race marked the start of Laurent Mekies as team director Red Bull, after the brutal dismissal of Christian Horner, who had led the team for two decades. An experienced engineer, with solid experience at Ferrari and Racing Bulls, took Mekies a high -pressure role in a time when Red Bull is struggling with internal conflicts and external competition. Sources indicate that Jos Verstappen’s threat was not spontaneous anger, but calculated a schedule to force Red Bull. “Max wants a car to win,” Jos told Mekies, and emphasized that without significant engine improvements, his son could take drastic measures.

Mekies responded quickly of the problem. During a press conference after the Belgian Grand Prix, he responded with relatively faith to speculation about the future of Max Verstappen. “I am sure that Max wants a fast car, and if we succeed, I am sure that we will neutralize any other consideration,” said Mekies, who clearly expressed its determination to keep the team’s star pilot. His immediate decision was to convene an urgent meeting with the engineering team of Red Bull and Ford, his partner for the Motopropulsseurgroep, to remedy the mistakes of the motorcycle. Internal sources reveal that Mekies has given priority to a complete overhaul of the RB21 Motopropheur Group, aimed at improving the performance for the Hungarian Grand Prix, last race for the summer holidays. This proactive approach has created optimism within the team, but time is up and the pressure to achieve results is at its peak.

The Verstappen-Mekies-Saga is not only an internal conflict for the team; She has a broader implications for the landscape of Formula 1. Max Verstappen, generally considered one of the greatest talents in the discipline, was mentioned for a transfer to Mercedes, according to the words of her brother -in -law Nelson Piquet Jr., who could be in a podcast in a podcast that Max could go through in 2026.

What makes this situation so intriguing is the dynamics between Jos Verstappen and the management of Red Bull. Jos has long been an influential figure in Max’s career and his opinions have a considerable weight within the team. The resignation of Christian Horner, apparently influenced by the influence of Verstappen, underlines his influence on Milton Keynes. Max himself expressed his approval for Mekies and stated: “I hear myself well with him, which is already a positive point. However, this ultimatum suggests that trust in the team’s ability to offer a competitive car, eroding. The engine, a common project with Ford, while Red Bull was prepared for a Motor Motor Machine.

The bet is great when the Hungarian Grand Prix approaches. A Max Verstappen’s contract clause, unveiled by the Dutch newspaper Van Telegraaf, enables him to leave Red Bull if he does not end up in the top 3 of the pilot championship before the summer vacation. His third place in Belgium, reinforced by a victory in the Sprintrace, kept it in the security zone, but the gap is minimal. George Russell, fourth, is only 26 points, and a bad result in Hungary could activate the clause and open the road to a possible departure. Mekies’ ability to solve his engine problems before this crucial race will probably determine whether Red Bull can retain his star pilot.

The Formula 1 community not only follows action on the right track, but also runs outside, which could again define the hierarchy of the discipline. A Verstappen transmission to Mercedes or even Aston Martin, where the influence of Adrian Newey grows, would upset the set and cause a domino effect on the pilot market. At the moment the rapid response from Mekies Red Bull has given a response, but the ultimatum of Jos Verstappen emphasized the challenges that the team is confronted with. Will Red Bull succeed in delivering a car that is worthy of its champion, or will Max Verstappen carry out his father’s threat and will he miss a race, or even worse, will he leave the team that made him a star?

While the 2025 season soon enters its summer vacation, the uncertainty about the future of Verstappen promises to leave the fans on the alert. The conflict between the requirements of Jos Verstappen and the leadership of Laurent Mekies is more than a simple team conflict: it is a crucial moment in the constantly evolving history of Formula 1. While the Hungarian Grand Prix is approaching, all eyes will be reversed to Red Bull. One thing is certain: the tension never stops in the hectic world of Formula 1, and this last chapter remains in the annals.