Max Verstappen's father Jos has given an explosive new interview amid doubts over his son's long-term future at Red Bull.
The younger Verstappen has spent his entire F1 career under the Red Bull umbrella, having been part of their junior system before being signed to drive for Toro Rosso (now RB) in 2015.
Within a year, Verstappen had been promoted to the senior Red Bull team, with the underperforming Daniil Kvyat going in the other direction.
Until this year, the three-time world champion appeared likely to spend the rest of his career with the team - particularly as he signed a new six-year contract in 2022.
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But there was uncertainty over his position at the beginning of the 2024 season, with Verstappen himself claiming that he could leave Red Bull if the team's advisor Helmut Marko was removed from the team over allegations of breaching protocol during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend.
The Austrian, who is employed by Red Bull's parent company rather than the racing team, was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Members of Verstappen's entourage also held talks with Mercedes over a move to the team from 2025, their team principal Toto Wolff claimed. But no agreement materialised, and the Silver Arrows subsequently signed Kimi Antonelli to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.
But the contracts of the Italian and team-mate George Russell expire at the end of 2025 - when the topic of Verstappen joining the team will surely re-emerge.
There is an added complication in the form of his father Jos, who has had a tumultuous relationship with Red Bull chief Christian Horner and has been increasingly critical of the team this season amid their recent slump in performance.
Now, speaking to Motorsport.com, the elder Verstappen has expressed concern about their form and the fact that several key staff members, including technical chief Adrian Newey, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley and head of race strategy Will Courteney, are leaving the team.
He explained: "Yes, this is what I warned about.
"The team then says, 'Oh, it doesn't matter, we have someone else'. But it's too many people [leaving] now.
"Max gets questions about it every time, and so on. So yeah, it's just not good, what's happening at the moment. And he [Horner] always glosses over it."
Speaking in June, after more allegations from Jos that Horner had moved to block him from competing at a legends event - which Horner denied - the Red Bull team principal made it clear that their row was nothing to do with Max.
He said: "The relationship with Max has always been very good and strong. He's our driver. He's the one who is important to have a strong relationship with.
"I've never had an issue with any of our drivers' fathers in the past. Whatever Jos's issues are, I've really got nothing to comment on."
Topics: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Formula 1
Ryan Smart