The Grand Prix of the Netherlands 2025 on the Zandvoort circuit not only yielded an exciting race, but also a heated discussion within the Red Bull team. Laurent Mekies, team boss of Oracle Red Bull Racing, expressed his dissatisfaction with Max Verstappen’s performance, despite his stage finish. Mekies stated that Verstappen’s second place was partly due to happiness, in particular due to the late failure of McLaren driver Lando Norris. These statements did not go well with Jos Verstappen, the father of Max, who immediately shot in defense.
Mekies, who has been in charge of Red Bull since July 2025, emphasized after the race that Verstappen got everything out of the RB21, but that the car still couldn’t match the speed of McLaren. “Max gave everything, but let’s be honest: without Norris” we would not have been on stage. We have to work harder to really challenge McLaren, “Mekies said in an interview with Sky Sports. He praised Verstappen’s spectacular catch -up action in the opening round, but suggested that the result was flattering by external factors, such as Norris’s oil leak in round 65.
These comments Jos Verstappen shot in the wrong way. The former F1 driver and father of Max responded fiercely: “It is incredible that a team boss says something like that. Max has shown that he can still do wonders with a lesser car. He earns praise, no criticism.” Jos pointed to Max’s power to perform under pressure, especially in his home race for an outrageous orange crowd. “Saying that was happiness is an insult to his talent and commitment,” he added in a conversation with Viaplay.
The tension between Mekies and the Verstappen clan reveals a deeper problem within Red Bull. The team is struggling with a lack of speed compared to McLaren, which dominates in 2025. Mekies ’focus is on improving the RB21, but his comments seem to put pressure on the relationship with his star driver. Max himself remained calm and focused on the race: “I gave everything. The car is not perfect, but we keep fighting.” His catch -up maneuver on Norris in the Gerlach bend was praised by many as a masterpiece, in which he kept a slipping RB21 under control.
The discussion raises questions about the dynamics within Red Bull. Mekies ’emphasis on team improvements clashes with Jos’ expectation of unconditional support for Max. With nine races to go in the season, it is crucial that Red Bull keeps the harmony to have a chance to win the constructor title. Fans are already speculating about possible tensions behind the scenes, while the F1 world is looking forward to the next confrontation. Will Mekies moderate his tone, or will Jos de Luis remain in the ear of Red Bull? Time will learn it.
