Ex-F1 team owner claims Max Verstappen is ‘dissatisfied’ with Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley’s Red Bull exit

Red Bull has been in utter turmoil since the start of the 2024 season.

Ex-F1 team owner claims Max Verstappen is ‘dissatisfied’ with Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley’s Red Bull exit

Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

There is no denying that Red Bull is going through a rough patch, with Max Verstappen facing a four-race winless streak. This issue is compounded by the departure of Adrian Newey, the esteemed aerodynamicist, and Jonathan Wheatley, the sporting director. Now, Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan points out that these exits are exacerbating the turmoil within the team, increasing the frustration for both Verstappen and his father as Red Bull struggles to regain its footing.

Losing Adrian Newey, who has designed Red Bull’s cars since 2006, is a major setback. Similarly, Jonathan Wheatley‘s role in securing six Constructors’ and seven Drivers’ Titles leaves a lasting legacy. Therefore, Verstappen and his father don’t seem very pleased about staying with Red Bull.

YouTube video

The turmoil at Red Bull and the departures of Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley cannot be pleasing to Max and his father.

Eddie Jordan told F1 Insider

Max Verstappen kicked off the season with a bang, delivering the performances he’s known for. However, with Red Bull’s recent fall from grace, Jordan added he wouldn’t be shocked if the Dutch star jumped ship to Mercedes. After all, Mercedes has been on a winning streak, snagging three out of the last four races that Red Bull has let slip.

FS Video

While talking about Newey’s departure, Aston Martin stated that their F1 team is attractive due to Lawrence Stroll’s vision, a new tech center, and partnerships with Aramco and Honda. Meanwhile, Wheatley is leaving Red Bull without ill will, as the team wished him success at Audi as well. And now, all eyes are on the Dutchman. 

Mercedes seems to have turned a corner and is becoming stronger. For these reasons, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Max move to Mercedes in 2026.
Eddie Jordan added
RELATED
Dutch driver claims Yuki Tsunoda ‘would’ve been a Red Bull driver’ had he not come across as ‘CHILDISH’ in F1
Yuki Tsunoda (via IMAGO)

After recent Red Bull exists, Max Verstappen to Mercedes Next?

Reports suggest Verstappen might plan to join Mercedes in 2026. For those who don’t know, performance clauses in 2025 could allow this move, and he is already in talks with Mercedes’ Toto Wolff and CEO Ola Källenius. The Verstappen family is keen to closely observe how Mercedes develops their car’s chassis in 2025. By studying Mercedes’ advancements, they aim to compare it with Red Bull’s developments, identifying performance trends and potential areas where Mercedes might have an advantage.

Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

The Verstappen clan wants to take a closer look at the development of the Mercedes chassis in 2025 and then compare performance and trends with Red Bull.

F1 insider stated

Even though Verstappen’s Red Bull deal goes until 2028, Jordan’s statement rumors are still flying. Moreover, Toto Wolff’s long-standing interest in the Dutchman has also made the speculation seem more credible. The upcoming months could lead to new turns in this saga in the upcoming months.

In case you missed it: