Internal indignation at Red Bull Racing After Max Verstappens Manager Raymond Vermeulen makes a shocking decision about Verstappen’s victory in 2026 – strong warning from the FIA!

In the paddock of Formula 1 it is buzzing with rumors and tensions, but rarely has a single statement caused so much internal unrest as the recent statement by Raymond Vermeulen, the manager of triple world champion Max Verstappen. Vermeulen, a confidant of the Dutchman since his go -karting days, did not leave Red Bull Racing in an interview with De Telegraaf in Baku. He announced that Verstappen is committed to the team up to and including 2026, but with a tough condition: the Austrian racing stable has to deliver a car in that season with which Verstappen can compete for the title. “If Red Bull does not deliver, it is over,” Vermeulen said sharp. “We stay before 2026, but then everything depends on the performance. Max wants to win, not survive.” This ‘ultimatum-like’ decision has caused a wave of indignation within the Milton Keynes walls, with sources that speak of “betrayal” and “open blackmail”.

The timing of Vermeulen’s words could not be more unhappy. Red Bull Racing, which is already struggling with internal power battle this season after the departure of Adrian Newey and the persistent rumors around team boss Christian Horner, stands for a crucial transition. Together with Ford, the team develops its own power unit for the new regulations that will start in 2026. Those rules, with a focus on sustainable fuels and lighter, more agile cars, promise a shake-up in the field. But Vermeulen’s remark that “Red Bull must prove that they are the best in 2026” feels like a personal attack for many within the team. An anonymous employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the atmosphere as “toxic”. “We work day and night on the RB21 and the future engines, and then this comes. It undermines our moral and puts Max on a pedestal while we all suffer from the pressure.” Other insiders point to the gap between Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez, whose performance is disappointing this year, and suggest that Vermeulen’s words are a signal to Mercedes, which shows open interest in the Dutchman.

The shock golf quickly reached the highest echelons. Christian Horner, who recently was under fire by an internal investigation, responded diplomatie -ventilation in the press conference after the Azerbaijani Grand Prix. “We appreciate Max ‘dedication and his manager’s honesty. It is no secret that 2026 is a key moment for all of us.” But Horner would be furious behind the scenes, according to sources at Sky Sports. The British team boss sees Vermeulens pronunciation a risk for stability, especially now Helmut Marko, the legendary adviser, is busy on young talent such as Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson. “This creates uncertainty with our sponsors and partners,” a source close to the board of directors would have said. “Ford invests millions in our power unit, and now it seems that Max can dump us if it is not perfect.” The indignation is not limited to the top: engineers and engineers feel “used as pawns in a chess game”, with rumors about a petition for more support to Perez.

In the meantime, there is an even harder warning from Paris, where the FIA ​​- the International Motorsport Association – recently gave a firm message to teams such as Red Bull. Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis, responsible for the 2026 rules, warned in an interview with GPBlog for “eternal misery” as newcomers such as Red Bull Powertrains and Audi do not care with the transition. “The new Power Units are more complex than ever, with 50 percent electric drive and sustainable fuels. Teams looking for loopholes or taking too much risk risk a catastrophe,” said Tombazis. He specifically referred to Red Bull, which makes his debut as a motorcycle manufacturer and already receives criticism of their development budget. The FIA ​​emphasizes that the rules are being maintained more stricter to prevent unfair benefits, with fines and disqualifications as a stick behind the door. “This is not a warning, this is an order,” said Tombazis. For Red Bull, which is already struggling with reliability problems in 2025, this feels like an extra burden on the shoulders.

During the race in Baku, Verstappen himself remained remarkably silent about the commotion, focusing in second place behind Lando Norris. But in a short conversation with Dutch journalists afterwards, he smiled alone: ​​”Raymond says what he thinks. I race for victories, everyone knows that.” His future indeed depends on 2026, a year that Formula 1 turns upside down. With Mercedes who forms George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as a duo, and Ferrari that Lewis Hamilton welcomes, the pressure is immensely. Vermeulen’s decision – or Ultimatum, depending on who you ask – forces Red Bull to perform under fire. Will the team pick up the glove, or will this lead to a break that changes the sport forever? De Paddock holds its breath while the counters tap Singapore.

The internal unrest at Red Bull is not just a wrinkle; It is a crack in the foundation of a dynasty. With the FIA’s warning as a thunder cloud above it, the team should not only take Vermeulens demands, but also prove that they are ready for the revolution. For Verstappen, the undisputed king of F1, 2026 is Make-Or-Break. And if Red Bull fails, Mercedes is ready to hijack the crown. The tension builds up, and the fans can’t wait for the spectacle.