Max Verstappen under pressure: in turbulence at Red Bull before the Canada Grand Prix

Max Verstappen is no stranger to pressure. Known for his ruthless precision on the track and his fierce competitive spirit, the Dutch pilot often sports a confident smile that suggests that he flourishes in chaos. But as the 2025 Formula 1 season intensifies, even the apparent calm of Verstappen has shown flaws, in particular concerning the internal policy of Red Bull Racing. The Grand Prix of Canada seemed to be the usual theater of the domination of Verstappen, but behind the scenes, tensions were revealing, as revealed by a revealing exchange with Ted Kravitz of Sky Sports, which revealed the fragility of the dynamics within the flagship stable of F1.

The Barcelona incident: a conflict catalyst

To understand the current unrest, you have to go back to the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix on the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit. In the 63rd round, Verstappen finds himself in the middle of a battle with George Russell for the position. The tension reaches its paroxysm when Verstappen leaves the track and takes the track in front of Russell. Steven Nolles, freshly promoted to Red Bull sports regulations, orders Verstappen to give it back – an apparently simple directive aimed at avoiding penalties.

What followed was not very simple.

Verstappen, using a tactical but controversial maneuver, slowed down just enough to bait Russell before accelerating in the middle of a turn and hitting the car. The commissioners inflicted a 10 seconds and three permit points on Verstappen, leaving it at the edge of the suspension. This decision caused a shock wave within the F1 community, triggering a heated debate on the equity and the strategy of the teams.

But the matter was complicated. After the race, the FIA ​​judged that Verstappen did not really need to return its position, the initial collision being considered as a race incident. The penalty for the second maneuver was therefore considered excessive. This decision raised serious questions about the decision -making process within the Red Bull Stands Muret and on the communication chain that led to the unhappy maneuver of Verstapun.

Ted Kravitz’s question affects a sensitive cord

At the Canada Grand Prix, Ted Kravitz did not chew his words when he asked the obvious question: was Steven Nolles’ call to Verstappen? Kravitz carefully formulated his question, not as an accusation of incompetence, but as a call for clarity as to the need to refine the internal communication of Red Bull, especially after the departure of Jonathan Wheatley, the seasoned strategist of the stable, who left for Sauber.

Verstappen’s reaction was lively and defensive. His sly smile disappeared, replaced by a laconic statement: “It was not pleasant to point the finger at a person. For Verstappen, it was not just a decision, but to defend the integrity of the whole team.

“I don’t need to talk about it here,” said Verstappen coldly. “If we are ever looking for points to improve, we will do it like all the other teams. But I’m not going to be content to say who is at fault. »»

This exchange revealed more than a simple moment of irritation. It was a rare overview of Verstappen’s protective position in the face of Red Bull’s internal operation. Known for his combative character on the track, the defense of Verstappen outside the track marked a change: he did not only defend himself or his piloting choices, but the very heart of the structure of the Red Bull team.

Change in power dynamics in Red Bull

The departure of Jonathan Wheatley marks a major turning point for Red Bull. His role as a strategist had been a factor of stability, the soothing voice behind many criticisms. With the arrival of Steven Nolles, the Red Bull hierarchy has visibly changed. Verstappen is now closer than ever to the center of power within the team, but this proximity could also expose it to the pressure and vulnerabilities of team policy.

These tensions appear in a broader context. The recent rise in McLaren and the persistent chaos of Ferrari have destabilized the hierarchy of F1. For Red Bull, maintaining domination not only means gaining track, but also managing a complex internal ecosystem that shows signs of tension.

In this context, the VIVE reprimand of Verstappen against Kravitz was more than a question of personal pride. It was a warning, an attempt to protect Nolles and the fragile chain of command of the team from any meticulous examination, especially when external forces like the media begin to spot potential flaws.

Races beyond the track: policy and pressure

Formula 1 has always been a sport with high issues, where decisions made in a fraction of a second and team strategies make the difference between victory and defeat. But more and more, the political game within the teams becomes as fierce as the battles on the circuit.

Verstappen’s comment: “We live and we learn all” is a coded message. This is a way of saying: “Drop, we will solve our problems internally, and you will not like what will happen if you insist too much. “It is” Power Play Max “, a version of the pilot who no longer fights only for the championships, but also for his influence within the most titled F1 stable of the decade.

Such a position is understandable. While the struggle for the title is tighter and more fierce than ever, each internal decision, each lack of communication can tip the scale. The growing role of Verstappen within Red Bull means that it has every interest in preserving the cohesion of the team, even if this implies publicly opposing journalists or respected supporters who require transparency.

Fans and the media: question the untouchables

The consequences of Barcelona’s penalty and the Canada GP exchange divide supporters and experts. Was Ted Kravitz right to put Nolles under the spotlight, or did he cross a line that Verstappen was justified to defend?

From a certain point of view, Kravitz’s question testifies to an attentive examination, an essential element of sports journalism that empowers the teams. Given the importance of the challenges and the opacity of team instructions, the public is entitled to question how the decisions are made and who really takes decisions.

On the other hand, Verstappen’s reaction highlights the delicate balance that the teams must find between opening and internal solidarity. Publicly exposing the fracture lines can undermine confidence, create distractions and weaken the ability of a team to perform in an environment under pressure.

What is the next step for Verstappen and Red Bull?

The next races will test much more than the skills of Verstappen while driving. They will test Red Bull’s ability to manage internal tensions while resisting the growing assaults of rival teams.

For Verstappen, the priority remains clear: to protect the team which is behind its success, to remain concentrated in a season where each point counts and navigate in the troubled waters of team policy with as much finesse as it maneuver.

His sly smile may have dodged, but the determination of Verstappen is stronger than ever. As the season progresses, the question is whether Red Bull will manage to maintain its limited circle – or if the pressure will eventually reach the team which once seemed untouchable.