- Jos Verstappen slams Ralf Schumacher’s claims regarding Red Bull comment.
- Ralf Schumacher argues Max Verstappen desperately needs Marko’s guidance.
- Verstappen camp dismisses Ralf’s recent comments as baseless and unhelpful.
Jos Verstappen doesn’t have very nice things to say about Michael Schumacher’s brother, Ralf, who brought up Helmut Marko’s topic recently to define his son, Max’s, recent behaviour.
Ralf believes that the Dutchman needs the former advisor desperately, as much of the burden currently rests on him, as he serves as the most reliable “voice of reason” within Red Bull Racing during such a challenging period.
This is not the first time Ralf has given his verdict on Verstappen, as previously he has compared him to his brother, Michael, revealing how differently they react when faced with adversity. Moreover, he also stressed how Verstappen remains the only voice in the team who is often forced to give his opinions about anything and everything related to their work and team.
Jos Verstappen slams Ralf Schumacher over comments about Max
Jos Verstappen took to social media to address the earlier comments of Ralf Schumacher about the Dutchman desperately needing Helmut Marko. He said, “Ralf talks a lot off [sic] bulls***.” These remarks come from Jos amid Ralf’s remarks on Max’s behaviour with the media, during an interview with Backstage Boxengasse.
He said, “Helmut Marko, who then told him, ‘Come on, Max, we have to get through this together.’ Incidentally, he is also urgently needed at Red Bull, because at the moment, the only voice of reason is Max Verstappen, to be completely honest.”
Sharing on how Verstappen shouldn’t be the one accountable for providing answers, he added, “You don’t hear anyone anymore. And that’s because it’s not Max’s job. You have to say that. He will be left alone there. He is in the spotlight, he is constantly being questioned.
Now, there was apparently a complaint from the journalists. The journalists are becoming critical, but that’s logical, given his statements. As a journalist, you have to ask questions, and one thing leads to another.”
He believes that Verstappen needs to be pulled away from the spotlight for answering everything, and should be freed from his all-rounder role within the team.
Ralf urges Mekies to take control as Verstappen becomes the team’s main voice
Ralf noted an important difference between Verstappen and Michael Schumacher, revealing that the latter always stood beside his team and didn’t criticise. He stressed the importance of being on the same page internally.
Praising Mekies, he further added, “What is important now is that Laurent Mekies shows that he is not only a good leader, but also fills gaps by bringing in new, strong personnel. Mekies speaks like a technician. I don’t know how big his network is outside of Italy, after his history at Ferrari.”
He claimed that at the moment, Verstappen remains the only steady voice at Red Bull Racing, who’s forced to provide updates on almost everything. He advised Mekies to step up and not leave Verstappen to be the only person to speak for the entire team.
