Dangerous Territory!’ McLaren Chief Sounds Alarm as Max Verst

Dangerous Territory!’ McLaren Chief Sounds Alarm as Max Verstappen Ban from…read more

Former McLaren and Lotus team boss Eric Boullier has warned that Red Bull Racing is in a precarious position due to their heavy dependence on Max Verstappen. With the reigning World Champion just one penalty point away from an automatic race ban, concerns are mounting about how the team would perform in his absence.

Verstappen recently drew criticism for a controversial incident at the Spanish Grand Prix where he collided with George Russell. The stewards deemed Verstappen solely responsible for the clash, issuing him a 10-second time penalty and three additional points on his Super Licence. This brings his total to 11 out of a maximum of 12 points allowed before a mandatory one-race suspension. With those points not expiring until after the Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen faces the real possibility of missing a race if he commits another infraction in the upcoming Canadian or Austrian Grands Prix.

This situation is troubling for Red Bull, as Verstappen has contributed 137 out of the team’s 144 championship points so far this season. Boullier highlighted that Red Bull’s entire campaign could unravel if Verstappen were unable to race—whether due to a ban, illness, or any unforeseen event. He emphasized that while other teams like McLaren have backup drivers capable of stepping up, Red Bull lacks a similarly reliable second option.

Boullier praised Verstappen’s extraordinary talent and determination, stating that the Dutchman has the ability to extract performance from the car that no teammate has been able to match. He noted that Verstappen’s fierce competitiveness and unique driving skill make him the cornerstone of Red Bull’s current success. However, this creates a vulnerable scenario where the team’s fortunes are tied almost exclusively to one driver.

The issue goes beyond just a potential race ban. There is also speculation surrounding Verstappen’s long-term future with Red Bull. Reports suggest that he could consider leaving the team—or even retiring—if he finds himself out of title contention by 2025. Verstappen has been linked to rival teams such as Mercedes and Aston Martin, further fueling uncertainty about Red Bull’s stability.

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has also voiced concerns about Red Bull’s lack of viable alternatives should Verstappen depart. Speaking on his AS podcast, Montoya dismissed the idea of Yuki Tsunoda stepping into a lead role at Red Bull, citing his recent decline in form. He also pointed out that Liam Lawson, another potential candidate, hasn’t performed well enough to be considered a solid replacement.

Montoya stressed that Red Bull is facing a complex dilemma, with no clear successor to Verstappen currently available. He suggested that the team’s future, especially leading into the 2026 season, will be highly uncertain if Verstappen chooses to leave or faces a ban.

In summary, Red Bull finds itself in a fragile position, highly dependent on Verstappen for points and performance, while lacking a solid contingency plan. With Verstappen’s race ban looming and his future in question, the team’s dominance may be a

t serious risk.