F1 Insider Exposes Max Verstappen’s ‘Demotivating’ Approach to Red Bull’s Struggles

Ex-F1 Strategist Bernie Collins raised alarm over Max Verstappen's pessimistic comments on Red Bull's progress.

F1 Insider Exposes Max Verstappen’s ‘Demotivating’ Approach to Red Bull’s Struggles

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

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Max Verstappen is having one of the most challenging seasons of his career. The Dutch driver is finding it difficult to even fight for race victories as Red Bull struggles to match McLaren on pace. This has frustrated Verstappen who is never afraid to speak his mind. Former F1 team strategist Bernie Collins insists that this could demotivate the crew at Milton Keynes.

Max Verstappen and Red Bull saw incredible success in recent years. The 27-year-old shattered several records and won titles in a row. However, 2025 has been far different. Milton Keynes’ persistent issues have forced Verstappen down the order. He currently sits in third place in the championship. Internal turmoil over Christian Horner did not help matters either.

Verstappen has been vocal about his struggles. The Dutch driver has repeatedly stated that his results don’t matter anymore since he is no longer in the title fight. Bernie Collins asserted that such comments will only bring down the morale at Red Bull, as the team members would not be happy to see Max Verstappen so blatantly give up on the rest of the season. Collins, who used to be part of Aston Martin, claimed that if she was at Milton Keynes, she would be impacted by such remarks, something that could further bring down productivity of the squad.

I don’t think any driver says we’re not going to win anything this year as a motivator to the team. That’s pretty demotivating if I were an engineer. I think that would really hit you a little bit.

Bernie Collins told Sky F1

Max Verstappen wants Red Bull to fix ‘fundamental issues’

Red Bull is currently going through a period of upheaval. Long-time Team Principal Christian Horner was sacked by the energy drinks giant just days after the British GP. Horner was at the helm of the team ever since Red Bull Racing came into existence in 2005. Thus, this is the first time Milton Keynes has a new team boss in the form of Laurent Mekies. Though, a change of leadership does not bring in immediate results. The Austrian team has some major problems with the car which it has failed to address since late last year.

Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Getty)
Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Getty)

Bernie Collins made it clear that time for running out for Red Bull to fix these fundamental issues before the 2026 rule change. Moreover, she reckoned that perhaps Max Verstappen is making harsh comments on the team as a way of signaling that he is far from happy and needs Milton Keynes to change certain Elements.

But, they need to get on top of these fundamental issues that they’ve been having for a little while now. Max, I think, is just using it as a powerful way of communicating with the team, ‘I am really not happy, and something needs to change in this car to make me happy.’

Bernie Collins added

Certainly, Red Bull needs Max Verstappen to be happy. The Dutch driver has been the sole car upfront for Milton Keynes for almost half a decade. This has increased dependence on Verstappen significantly, particularly this season. While the reigning world champion will stay with the team next season, there’s no guarantee he will not move to a rival squad in 2027.

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