Surviving the Red Bull Curse: Verstappen Drops Truth Bombs on How Team-mates Can Actually Keep Up

By Lewis Barnett 2 May, 2025 7 mins read 40 Views

Jesus. Being Max Verstappen's team-mate at Red Bull must feel like being invited to a fancy dinner party where everyone secretly hopes you'll spill wine on yourself. The revolving door of broken dreams keeps spinning, and the latest victim to get tossed into the F1 equivalent of the Hunger Games is poor Yuki Tsunoda.

But wait! The Dutch wonder boy himself has finally revealed how to survive the dreaded "Verstappen curse" that's claimed more careers than I've had hot dinners.

Listen to this Article

The Graveyard of Racing Dreams

Let's be honest - Verstappen has absolutely demolished every team-mate who's had the misfortune of sharing a garage with him since 2016. At 27, with four world championships under his belt, the guy is basically F1 royalty now.

I watched this new Viaplay documentary last night (10 Years of Max Verstappen) where he finally spilled teh beans on how anyone brave enough to race alongside him might actually stand a chance.

His advice? Shockingly simple.

"How I would deal with it [racing with me]? Try not to think about it too much you know. It's always important to focus on yourself," Verstappen explained. "That's what I've done when I've entered new teams or had to go up against team-mates. So that's the only thing that you can control and influence so that's why it's always the most important thing to look at yourself."

Easier said than done, Max. MUCH easier said than done.

The Body Count Is... Concerning

Back in 2019, Daniel Ricciardo was the first to jump ship, fleeing to Renault rather than continue the teammate battle. Smart man. Then came the Pierre Gasly experiment - lasted half a season before getting the boot. Alex Albon? Two seasons of pain before Red Bull showed him the door.

Sergio Perez somehow managed three seasons and actually won 5 races, which feels like a miracle in retrospect. But even he got axed after things went south last year.

And don't get me started on Liam Lawson. TWO RACES. That's all the rookie got in 2025 before Red Bull pulled the plug. Didn't even score a point. Talk about a brutal workplace environment.

Will Tsunoda Be Different? (Probably Not)

Tsunoda's now sitting in what I'm officially calling the electric chair of Formula 1. He did manage to score two points in Bahrain before retiring in Saudi Arabia, which is... something?

I texted an engineer friend at another team about Tsunoda's chances. His response: "Already updating his LinkedIn profile." Harsh but fair.

Baby on Board!

Meanwhile, Verstappen's got other things on his mind. He skipped Thursday's media duties in Miami because his girlfriend Kelly Piquet is about to give birth to their first child. The due date is May 6 - just two days after the Miami Grand Prix.

Verstappen already has a close relationship with Kelly's daughter Penelope (from her previous relationship with Daniil Kvyat - F1 is a small world, folks). But now he's about to be a biological dad while potentially taking a championship fight to the wire.

I remember back in 2021 when a friend of mine had his first kid during a major work project. He showed up to meetings looking like he'd been hit by a truck for about 3 months straight. Wonder if we'll see the same from Max?

Famous? No Thanks.

The most fascinating part of that documentary was when Verstappen - who earns a ridiculous £52 million a year - admitted he hates being famous.

"It's not fun to be famous, I prefer to be unknown. But I know that's part of F1 especially when you do well," he confessed. "Of course I would sometimes like to be able to walk around with your family and friends and not be known, but unfortunately that's not the case anymore."

God. Imagine making that kind of money and still not being able to grab a coffee without someone asking for a selfie.

This might explain those rumors about him potentially taking a year off. An unnamed F1 driver recently suggested Verstappen might step away temporarily, which seemed crazy until I heard Max's comments about fame.

So there you have it. The secret to surviving as Verstappen's teammate? Just "focus on yourself." Which is exactly what every single one of his previous teammates probably tried to do before getting absolutely destroyed on track adn then fired.

Good luck, Yuki. You're gonna need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the financial impact of Formula 1 sponsorship?

Formula 1 teams' financial health is heavily dependent on sponsorships. They provide a vital source of income that helps cover the exorbitant costs of competing. Sponsorships vary from small logo contributions to big title sponsorships, which can be worth millions each year. These partnerships allow teams to remain competitive and sustain their operations.

How much does it cost to build a Formula 1 vehicle?

The cost to construct a Formula 1 race car can vary considerably. But teams typically spend $10-15 million on each chassis.

Can Formula 1 Teams buy cars from other teams?

Formula 1 teams usually design and manufacture their own cars. However, they can buy certain parts from competitors such as power units and transmissions. However, to ensure that the sport is competitive and diverse, certain parts are required by regulations. These include the chassis as well as aerodynamic surfaces.

What is the cost of a Formula 1 team's pit stop equipment?

The equipment a Formula 1 pit stop team uses is critical to their strategy. It's also extremely costly. For example, wheel guns, jacks, or communication systems that are high-tech can cost anywhere from $100,000 up to $500,000 in order to achieve precision and speed at pit stops.

What does a Formula 1 wheel cost?

A Formula 1 driving wheel is an extremely complicated piece of equipment. It has dials, buttons, and displays which control the various functions of a car. The price range of a Formula 1 driving wheel is $50,000-$100,000. This is due to its unique design and technology.

What are the operating costs of a Formula 1 Team per season?

Operational costs for a Formula 1 Team can be substantial. These include travel, salary, and logistics. A mid-tier team spends an average of $120 million - $220million per season. Leading teams, however, can spend up to $400million annually.

How has the introduction of hybrid power units affected Formula 1 team costs?

In Formula 1, hybrid power units have increased the level of technical complexity. This has also led to an increase in the costs. Since their introduction in 2014, the cost of teams has increased due to significant investments in development, production, and maintaining these hybrid engines. The shift to hybrid technology necessitates increased budgets for R&D to remain competitive in the hybrid age.

Statistics

Racing suits worn by Formula 1 drivers can cost from $2,000 to $5,000, integrating high levels of safety and performance features.
Since the introduction of hybrid power units in 2014, Formula 1 teams have seen a significant increase in costs related to engine development and maintenance.
A Formula 1 car's carbon fiber body parts, essential for performance and safety, contribute significantly to the overall production costs of the vehicle.
The operational costs for a Formula 1 team per season can range from $120 million to over $400 million, depending on the team's size and aspirations.
The financial cost of a Formula 1 car crash can range from a few tens of thousands to over $1 million, dependent on the extent of the damage.
Sponsorship deals are critical in Formula 1, with major title sponsorships sometimes contributing tens of millions of dollars to a team's budget.
The budget cap introduced in Formula 1 for the 2021 season was set at $145 million, which is aimed to level the playing field.
Hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix can cost a hosting circuit more than $70 million, including the sanctioning fees and the cost of preparations.

External Links

How To

How to secure sponsorships to fund Formula 1 racing

To secure Formula 1 race sponsorships, it is important to build a strong brand that will attract potential partners. Focus on networking to build relationships with companies aligned with the team values and fanbase. The proposal should include a description of the marketing and promotion opportunities that Formula 1 can offer. This includes branding on team uniforms, cars, and car gear. Accentuate data-driven performance, demographic reach, as well as the prestige of being affiliated with a technology-advanced sport. Maintain a proactive approach to seeking new sponsors while nurturing existing relationships to ensure long-term partnerships.