Max Verstappen quietly battling the same approach issue in Red Bull as Lewis Hamilton with Ferrari

Max Verstappen Reportedly Frustrated with Red Bull as Lewis Hamilton Faces Similar Struggles at Ferrari

Following the high-profile dismissal of long-time team principal Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing now faces another pressing concern: securing the long-term commitment of Max Verstappen. With Horner no longer at the helm, all attention has shifted to the reigning Formula 1 world champion’s future—one that remains uncertain despite his contract running through the end of the 2028 season.

According to recent speculation, Max Verstappen may have played a key role behind the scenes in prompting Horner’s exit. While some reports suggest the Dutch driver leveraged interest from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team to apply pressure, others indicate that internal team politics were already pushing toward a leadership shake-up. Regardless of the motive, what remains certain is that Verstappen has not yet fully committed to staying with Red Bull Racing beyond the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season. His current contract reportedly includes exit clauses that could allow him to leave the team under specific conditions.

Verstappen Growing Disillusioned as Red Bull Misses the Mark
As the 2025 Formula 1 season reaches its midpoint, Max Verstappen finds himself trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points. In an uncharacteristic stretch of results, the Dutch driver has failed to reach the podium in seven of the first twelve Grands Prix, further intensifying speculation about his long-term satisfaction at Red Bull.

Laurent Mekies, previously team principal of Racing Bulls, has stepped up to replace Christian Horner and now faces the daunting task of addressing several of Verstappen’s grievances. One of the most prominent complaints, according to a report by Fox Sports Australia, is Verstappen’s belief that his technical feedback is not being sufficiently valued. He reportedly feels that the engineering team and former leadership did not act on his input—contributing to the team’s competitive struggles this year.

Mekies has already signaled a shift in management style, agreeing to take on a less centralized leadership role than his predecessor. This change may appeal to Verstappen, who was reportedly frustrated by the extent to which Christian Horner micromanaged the operation. Verstappen is now expected to seek further assurances that his guidance will shape the car’s future development path—particularly in light of his four consecutive world titles from 2021 to 2024, which have cemented his place as one of the sport’s most successful modern drivers.

Lewis Hamilton Seeking Greater Influence Over Ferrari’s Direction
Interestingly, Max Verstappen is not alone in his frustration. Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, who joined Scuderia Ferrari from Mercedes for the 2025 season, appears to be encountering similar internal resistance. Although Hamilton’s initial races in red were underwhelming, his recent performance has improved, including a run of consistent top-six finishes. Nevertheless, the British driver is reportedly pushing to have a more influential role in Ferrari’s car development process.

Lewis Hamilton, who brings nearly two decades of top-level Formula 1 experience, has been advocating for more input into Ferrari’s pre-race setup decisions. He has sought to use his knowledge to help refine the car’s balance and adaptability across various circuits. However, Ferrari’s technical department—known for its rigid development structure—has reportedly been hesitant to deviate from its traditional approach.

In addition to influencing current setups, Hamilton is said to be encouraging a change in Ferrari’s broader technical philosophy for 2026. He is advocating for a “less extreme” approach in designing next year’s car, suggesting that the team should prioritize a more stable and adaptable chassis, rather than chasing aerodynamic extremes. Internal sources indicate that this proposal has sparked some disagreement among Ferrari’s senior engineers and decision-makers.

Ferrari Split on How Much Influence Hamilton Should Have
Charles Leclerc’s driver coach has publicly backed Hamilton’s push, urging the team to take full advantage of the British driver’s extensive experience and racecraft knowledge. However, it remains to be seen how much influence Hamilton will be granted by Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur. While Vasseur was instrumental in convincing Hamilton to make the switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, he now faces the challenge of balancing internal politics with the expectations that come from signing one of the most decorated drivers in Formula 1 history.

At both Red Bull and Ferrari, two of the grid’s biggest stars—Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton—are facing internal resistance that may ultimately impact not only their team’s short-term fortunes but also the long-term trajectory of their careers. Both champions are accustomed to having a defining voice within their respective organisations, and both appear to be growing increasingly impatient with being sidelined in strategic and technical decisions.

As Formula 1 looks ahead to a major regulatory overhaul in 2026, how these teams handle the input and influence of their marquee drivers could very well determine whether they emerge as title contenders—or continue to fall short.