In a shocking development that has sent ripples through the Formula 1 paddock, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing’s four-time world champion, has reportedly demanded the immediate dismissal and replacement of the team’s entire pit crew following a series of costly errors during the 2025 season. The ultimatum, revealed in April 2025, comes amid mounting frustrations with Red Bull’s performance, both on and off the track. Team principal Christian Horner’s cryptic response has left the team in stunned silence, fueling speculation about internal strife and the future of Red Bull’s championship campaign.

The demand stems from a string of pit stop blunders that have plagued Red Bull’s 2025 season, notably at the Japanese Grand Prix, where Verstappen lost critical time due to a delayed pit stop caused by reserve crew members filling in for absent mechanics. According to RaceFans, the absence of key pit crew members Matt and Jon Caller led to a slower-than-expected stop, allowing McLaren’s Lando Norris to challenge Verstappen at the pit exit. A similar issue arose in China, where a wiring loom fault in the pit gantry caused a traffic light malfunction, resulting in a chaotic stop for Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who fumed over the radio, “Yellow was flashing, man. Oh my god!” These mishaps, coupled with a braking issue and car imbalance, have cost Red Bull valuable points in a fiercely competitive season.

Verstappen, currently third in the drivers’ championship, eight points behind leader Norris, is said to have reached a breaking point. Sources close to the team, cited by PlanetF1.com, report that Verstappen issued his demand during a heated team meeting post-China, insisting that the entire pit crew be sacked to restore Red Bull’s competitive edge. “Max is fed up with the mistakes,” an insider claimed. “He believes the crew’s errors are undermining his title fight and Red Bull’s reputation.” The Dutchman’s frustration is compounded by Red Bull’s broader struggles, including a less competitive RB21 car and ongoing internal tensions following the 2024 Christian Horner controversy.

Horner’s response, however, has done little to quell the storm. In a press conference ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Horner addressed the demand obliquely, stating, “We’re a team focused on performance, and every role is under scrutiny to deliver. Max is passionate, and we’re working to address all issues.” He avoided directly endorsing or rejecting Verstappen’s call, instead emphasizing the need for “engineering solutions” to pit stop woes. This vague reply, reported by ESPN, has left the pit crew and team members in limbo, with insiders describing a “deafening silence” within Red Bull’s Milton Keynes headquarters. The lack of clarity has heightened tensions, particularly given Horner’s history of deflecting criticism amid team crises.

The Red Bull pit crew, typically a well-oiled machine, has been a point of pride for the team, with Horner previously praising their quick reactions in high-pressure situations, such as an unexpected Verstappen stop in the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix. However, the 2025 season has exposed vulnerabilities, with reserve crew members struggling to match the precision of regulars. Fans on X have been vocal, with one user posting, “Max has every right to be mad—those pit stops are costing him the championship!” Others, however, criticized Verstappen’s demand as excessive, arguing, “Sacking the whole crew is unfair; they’re not the only issue at Red Bull.”

The situation is further complicated by Verstappen’s contract, which includes a performance-based exit clause allowing him to leave if he falls outside the top three in the drivers’ standings after a significant portion of the season. With Mercedes and Aston Martin rumored as potential destinations, Horner faces pressure to stabilize the team to keep his star driver. The ongoing discord, coupled with past tensions involving Horner, Helmut Marko, and Jos Verstappen, has led to what The Guardian called a “schism” within Red Bull, threatening to unravel their dominance.

As Red Bull prepares for Jeddah, all eyes are on Horner’s next move. Will he overhaul the pit crew to appease Verstappen, or risk further alienating his champion? The silence within the team speaks volumes, signaling a critical juncture for Red Bull’s 2025 campaign. With McLaren closing the gap and Verstappen’s patience wearing thin, the resolution of this crisis could define Red Bull’s future in Formula 1.