Red Bull tensions simmer as Kravitz sheds light on Verstappen discontent – The relationship between reigning Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing appears to be under increasing strain, with Sky Sports F1 commentator Ted Kravitz revealing further friction behind the scenes. After a difficult start to the season and underwhelming results in Bahrain and Japan, frustration is reportedly mounting within the Verstappen camp – particularly over the team’s recent operational mishaps and ongoing performance concerns.
While talk of a full-blown crisis at Red Bull may be premature, there are certainly signs of unease. The latest revelations, shared by Kravitz during an episode of The F1 Show podcast, paint a picture of a camp that feels undermined by both technical issues and what it sees as unhelpful comments from within.
Kravitz delves into Red Bull pit stop issues
One of the focal points of the reported tensions has been Red Bull’s recent pit stop problems. Kravitz pointed out that the problems experienced in Bahrain and again in Japan were not just minor hiccups, but significant enough to cost the team valuable time and track position.
In Bahrain, Verstappen lost crucial time due to a pit stop malfunction involving a faulty traffic light system. His team-mate Yuki Tsunoda suffered a similar fate, with both drivers ultimately compromised at key stages of the race. Kravitz noted that while these errors were not catastrophic, they did have a knock-on effect on race strategy and performance results.
“Pit stops are supposed to be a Red Bull strength,” said Kravitz. “If the car is not perfect, you rely on the team to get the operational side of things right. But that’s exactly where things are going wrong at the moment – and understandably that’s frustrating for a world champion like Max.”
Vasseur tells Hamilton to improve, stop the complaints with a veiled threat of the sack
A heated exchange between Vermeulen and Marko
At the centre of the fallout appears to be a heated exchange between Max Verstappen’s long-time manager Raymond Vermeulen and Red Bull’s senior advisor Helmut Marko. Kravitz had initially mentioned the incident in passing, but has now provided additional context, confirming that while the clash may not have been explosive, it was full of pointed criticism.
“I think what Raymond Vermeulen was trying to say to Marko is that if the car doesn’t perform, the team must at least perform flawlessly. Pit stops, strategy and operations – those things have to be perfect,” explained Kravitz.
Although Kravitz admitted that the conversation was “not as intense” as originally rumoured, he insisted that it reflected a deeper concern within the Verstappen camp. They feel Red Bull have slipped into areas where they were once untouchable.
Vasseur tells Hamilton to improve, stop the complaints with a veiled threat of the sack
Jonathan Wheatley’s departure and its potential impact
Kravitz also raised the possibility that the absence of former sporting director Jonathan Wheatley may have played a role in Red Bull’s recent missteps. Wheatley, who left the Milton Keynes-based team to take up the role of team principal at Sauber, was widely credited with overseeing some of Red Bull’s most efficient operational systems – including its notoriously fast and coordinated pit stop routines.
But Kravitz was quick to sound a note of caution, saying: “It’s probably just a coincidence. The electronics in the pit stop lights don’t know that Jonathan Wheatley is now with Sauber. Nevertheless, the timing of the dip in performance has sparked speculation in the paddock.”
Some insiders believe that Wheatley’s departure may have created a leadership vacuum in critical areas. Without him, the smooth running that Red Bull has come to rely on over the years could break down. While Kravitz didn’t make a firm connection between the two events, he did suggest that the possibility shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand.
Wind tunnel data raises further concerns
Adding to Red Bull’s headache is a growing discrepancy between their wind tunnel data and on-track performance. According to Kravitz, the RB21 has underperformed compared to what the simulations predicted – a major concern for a team that prides itself on precision engineering and data-driven development.
“It’s not just about pit stops,” Kravitz noted. “There’s a bigger issue at play. The car isn’t behaving on track the way the team expects it to, based on wind tunnel results. This puts them at a disadvantage even before the lights go out on Sunday.”
The discrepancy leaves Red Bull scrambling on race weekends to compensate for unreliable baseline data. Unlike rivals such as Mercedes and Ferrari, who seem to be getting more consistent readings, Red Bull arrive at the track with uncertainty hanging over their set-up.
Intentions for an F1 team based in Saudi
Max Verstappen responds to Marko’s public doubts
Fuel was added to the fire in the build-up to the Saudi Grand Prix when Helmut Marko publicly expressed his concerns about Verstappen’s long-term future at Red Bull. The comment, made in a media interview, drew an immediate reaction from the Dutchman during a tense press conference in Jeddah.
Visibly irritated by Sky Sports pundit David Croft’s question, Verstappen dismissed Marko’s remarks and made it clear he had no intention of engaging in further speculation.
“I don’t know why he’s saying that. I’m just concentrating on improving the car,” Verstappen said sharply.
He then took an even more pointed swipe at the media attention surrounding the issue, telling Croft: “You should just concentrate on commentating, then I’ll concentrate on racing. Then we don’t have to think about other scenarios.”
The curt response underlines Verstappen’s frustration not only with the team’s performance, but also with the way internal matters are aired in public. Sources close to the driver suggest that Max, known for his straight-talking nature, is becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the mixed messages coming from Red Bull’s leadership.
‘Perez closes mega deal and makes spectacular comeback with new F1 team’
A growing rift or just growing pains?
Despite the stormy atmosphere, there’s no clear sign that Verstappen is seriously considering leaving Red Bull in the immediate future. However, the cracks are there – and Kravitz’s latest comments suggest they may be widening.
What is becoming increasingly clear is that Red Bull’s supremacy is being tested in a way it hasn’t been for years. The team that once seemed untouchable is now struggling with hardware problems, data inconsistencies and the fallout from key departures. Add to that internal tensions and public comments from a senior advisor, and the recipe for unrest is complete.
But it’s also worth remembering that Red Bull has faced internal drama before and managed to pull through. The talent and infrastructure within the team remains world class, and Verstappen himself is a driver capable of extraordinary feats even under pressure.
Shocking statistics from Red Bull young driver programme
The road ahead
Whether this current tension will develop into a deeper rift remains to be seen. Much may depend on how Red Bull respond over the next few races – not just in terms of car performance, but also in terms of managing personalities and communication within the team.
As the F1 circus prepares for the next round, all eyes will be on Red Bull and Verstappen. Will they regroup and refocus? Or will lingering frustrations continue to boil over, throwing the championship campaign into turmoil?
One thing is for sure, the Red Bull story is far from over and as Kravitz continues to peel back the layers, the paddock will be hanging on every word.
Alonso retirement & Verstappen
MORE F1 NEWS – F1 bombshell: Verstappen could leave Red Bull this summer
The results from the opening rounds of the 2025 season are not exactly what Red Bull and Max Verstappen were hoping for. With just one win in four Grand Prix the Formula One drivers’ champion is enduring his worst start to a year in terms of victories since the epic season that was 2021.
Then Lewis Hamilton won three of the first four Grand Prix, with Verstappen’s single visit to the top step of the podium coming at the Emilia Romagne race weekend. Of course this was to become an epic season long duel which resulted in the Dutch driver becoming F1 world champion for the first time.
Yet even back in 2021, Max finished second in the three races he failed to win and he remained P2 in drivers’ championship table as the F1 circus headed to the fifth round in Monaco. The current dominant McLaren car now sees both their drivers in the top spots, with Oscar Piastri making up for…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
