Red Bull Push Back Strongly Against Claims Verstappen Controls the Team
Red Bull Racing have issued a firm rebuttal to ongoing speculation that Max Verstappen holds excessive power within the Formula 1 team, dismissing claims that the Dutch driver effectively runs the organisation from behind the scenes. Senior Red Bull executive Oliver Mintzlaff has described the narrative as inaccurate and misleading, stressing that while Verstappen is undeniably central to the team’s success, authority and decision-making remain clearly structured.
In recent months, rumours suggesting Verstappen wields unchecked influence at Red Bull have gained traction across the paddock and among fans. His dominance on track, combined with his candid personality and long-standing relationship with the team, have fuelled the perception that his voice carries more weight than anyone else’s. Red Bull, however, insist that this interpretation fundamentally misunderstands how the team operates.
Mintzlaff addressed the claims directly in an interview with De Telegraaf, leaving little room for ambiguity. “That is simply not true,” he said. “Max is extremely important for us, but he does not run the team.” According to Mintzlaff, Red Bull function under well-defined leadership structures where responsibility is shared across departments, not concentrated in the hands of a single individual.
He explained that Red Bull’s success has been built on organisation and clarity. “There are established processes, clear roles and strong leadership,” Mintzlaff stated. “Decisions are never made by one person alone.” While Verstappen’s input is respected, Mintzlaff made it clear that ultimate authority lies with management, not the driver.
The Red Bull executive did acknowledge Verstappen’s natural leadership within the team, particularly in competitive and technical matters. As a multiple world champion, his opinions carry weight, especially when it comes to car performance. “Of course his opinion matters,” Mintzlaff said. “That would be true for any driver of his calibre in any top team.”
However, Mintzlaff drew a sharp line between influence and control. He explained that Verstappen’s feedback is valued because of its accuracy and depth, not because he holds power. Engineers listen closely to him, he said, because he understands the car at an exceptional level and can translate on-track sensations into precise technical insight. Still, that does not extend to strategic calls or staffing decisions. “Those responsibilities sit firmly with management,” Mintzlaff emphasised.
Another factor contributing to the rumour, according to Mintzlaff, is Verstappen’s loyalty to Red Bull. The Dutchman has remained committed to the team through periods of internal change and external scrutiny, something that has sometimes been misread. “Max has shown loyalty even when things were not easy,” Mintzlaff said. “When a driver speaks honestly and stands by his team, people start creating narratives.”
Mintzlaff stressed that loyalty at Red Bull works both ways. The team view Verstappen not only as their lead driver but as a long-term partner built on mutual trust. That trust, he explained, does not mean handing over control. Instead, it thrives within a balanced environment where everyone understands their role.
According to Red Bull, maintaining that balance is essential for sustained success in Formula 1. Mintzlaff warned that teams can quickly unravel when power becomes too concentrated. “Teams collapse when one voice dominates everything,” he said. “We have learned from history.”
He added that Red Bull have deliberately implemented checks and balances to avoid such pitfalls. This structure, Mintzlaff believes, is a key reason why the team have remained competitive over such a long period. Verstappen, he said, flourishes within this system because it offers transparency rather than politics. “He wants clarity,” Mintzlaff noted. “He does not want internal games.”
As speculation continues over Verstappen’s future and Red Bull’s direction, Mintzlaff urged observers to distinguish between extraordinary performance and actual power. “Max is one of the greatest drivers we have ever seen,” he concluded. “But that does not make him the boss.”
For Red Bull, the message is unequivocal: Verstappen is a cornerstone of the team’s success, a trusted leader and an invaluable asset. But the idea that he controls Red Bull Racing is, they insist, a myth.
