Max Verstappen is just one penalty point away from receiving a race ban ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix – but another issue may be brewing inside Red Bull.
The four-time champion is at risk of becoming only the second driver in F1 history to serve a race ban for accumulating 12 penalty points on his FIA super licence.
Kevin Magnussen was the first, having missed the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
F1 could now see two bans in two seasons. Red Bull will be hoping Verstappen can get through both the Canadian GP and the Austrian GP without issue – two of his 11 penalty points drop off on June 30.
Pierre Wache surprises Verstappen’s camp by suggesting Red Bull could learn from sister team
There are fears Verstappen could be banned for Red Bull’s home event in Austria, a race that’s a big draw for his Dutch supporters. But concerns within Verstappen’s camp go beyond the penalty points – they now appear to have doubts about the direction of the team under technical director Pierre Wache.
According to GPblog, Verstappen’s team has lost confidence in Red Bull’s ability to turn the RB21 into a title-winning car. The Dutchman currently trails McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 49 points in the drivers’ standings.
Red Bull are expected to bring updates to the RB21 before shifting focus to the 2026 regulation changes. But Verstappen’s camp reportedly feels Wache is not the right person to lead development – and that he “doesn’t know” how to improve the car enough to challenge McLaren.
Wache raised eyebrows further with remarks suggesting Red Bull could learn from their junior team, Racing Bulls, to improve the 2025 car. Verstappen’s team was reportedly surprised by the comment, given Red Bull should have clear advantages in personnel and resources.
Verstappen’s trust in Red Bull’s design direction continues to erode
Racing Bulls have scored 28 points this season, sitting sixth in the constructors’ standings – and Wache’s willingness to look in their direction has only added to tensions in Milton Keynes.
Verstappen is already believed to have lost faith in Red Bull’s design team this season after repeated struggles to match McLaren’s consistency. The RB21 remains best suited to high-speed circuits, while the MCL39 has proven strong across the calendar.
Ralf Schumacher has added his voice to the concerns, suggesting that Verstappen will continue to doubt Red Bull’s direction under Wache. Schumacher pointed to several failed upgrades as evidence that momentum has slipped away since Adrian Newey stepped back.
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