Red Bull must “get it together” despite Verstappen’s title win, says father · RaceFans

Max Verstappen’s father Jos says his team must make changes to improve despite their latest championship success.

Red Bull experienced a downturn in form after Verstappen won seven of the first 10 races this year. Lando Norris made inroads into his championship advantage, but Verstappen struck back in the last two rounds and clinched the drivers’ championship in Las Vegas last weekend.

His father Jos, who started over 100 grands prix during his career, criticised Red Bull’s leadership earlier this year when team principal Christian Horner was investigated over alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a member of staff. Horner denied the accusations and was cleared following an internal investigation.

Red Bull has also lost several senior team figures during the year including chief technical officer Adrian Newey, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley and head of strategy Will Courtenay. Following his son’s championship victory last weekend, Jos Verstappen said changes are needed at the team to bring them back to their best.

“Of course, we hope that he can [win more titles], but he’s not in the fastest car, otherwise he would win all the races,” he told their official website. “Things have to improve to be competitive next year. The team knows what needs to change, so it’s up to them to get it together.”

Verstappen clinched the championship by finishing fifth in last weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. He won the race 12 months ago and his father, who was not at this weekend’s race, believes he would have preferred to clinch the title in style.

“I wasn’t feeling great,” he said. “I had a bit of [flu]. So I’d rather stay away so I don’t pass it on to Max. There’s also the time difference and I’m having to do some prep for a race myself.”

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“I was nervous, I woke up at four in the morning and couldn’t sleep,” he added. “There is always that tension, but he did it. Maybe not in the way Max would’ve wanted it, but the main thing is that he did.”

Verstappen’s father named his Brazilian Grand Prix victory – his only win since the Spanish Grand Prix in June – as his best performance this year.

“Brazil was just the most amazing moment. The way he drove all the way from the back and kept clocking fastest laps in the last ten laps, that really sealed the title in my eyes.”