‘Everyone’ at Red Bull knows Max Verstappen is now crucial to one vital off-track success

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Red Bull are well aware of the success that Max Verstappen has brought them on track for a number of years, and are also now aware of the crucial success that he is bringing them off the circuit as well.

Following the success of Sebastian Vettel with Red Bull at the start of the 2010s, Verstappen replicated his feat of securing four consecutive world championships and currently has an outside shot of securing a fifth in 2025.

Verstappen became Red Bull’s most successful Formula 1 driver ever after he surpassed the German driver’s tally of 38 wins for the Austrian constructor with a 39th victory at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix.

The Dutchman also surpassed Vettel’s tally of pole positions for Red Bull at the Italian Grand Prix earlier in the current term. The pole marked the start of a purple patch for Verstappen, who went on to win the Grand Prix as well as the following race in Azerbaijan.

READ MORE: Sebastian Vettel claims Formula 1 fans are ‘really lucky’ to watch Max Verstappen

‘Everyone’ in Red Bull can see what Max Verstappen is now bringing to the F1 team ‘marketing-wise’

Verstappen has been an integral part of Red Bull’s revival in the latter stages of the current campaign. Team principal Laurent Mekies is allowing the four-time world champion to make decisions that impact the setup of his car as well as the strategy he runs during races.

The 28-year-old is playing an increasingly bigger part in the decisions that are being made within the racing outfit, which has led some to believe he is acting as a shadow team principal at Red Bull.

However, speaking on The Inside Track podcast, Erik van Haren doubted the rumours, saying, “Well, I hope that’s not the case. I don’t think that’s a healthy situation.”

However, the Dutch journalist did touch upon the impact that Verstappen is having in a different capacity, one which could prove to be even more valuable for the parent company of the F1 constructor.

“I do think his influence is really big,” van Haren continued. “I’m not saying that he’s a team principal, but everyone in the team sees what he brings to the team, sporting-wise, but also marketing-wise; selling shirts.

“It’s all because of Verstappen. With all due respect, it’s not because of the second driver most of the time.

“Of course, Checo Perez had a big fanbase in Mexico and Yuki Tsunoda in Japan for example, but Verstappen is the guy who wins the race for them and a lot of times with not having the best car.”

Verstappen’s popularity in F1 is growing, with the 67-time Grand Prix winner emerging into the top five most popular drivers after a recent poll from The Race.

His image has been rejuvenated by the lack of dominance that Red Bull have shown in the current campaign, which is sure to have benefited the pockets of the company’s shareholders.

READ MORE: Max Verstappen has already confirmed one Red Bull ‘theory’ about why they struggled in 2025

Max Verstappen is still within a chance of securing a fifth back-to-back Formula 1 world title

With Verstappen’s first consecutive wins of the F1 season beginning at the 16th round of the season, he has moved himself into a position where he is now an outside contender for the 2025 title.

Paired with the evaporating dominance of McLaren, many now believe that the Dutchman will lift the drivers’ championship for a fifth consecutive season, which is sure to break the hearts of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris fans around the globe.

Former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve is adamant that Verstappen will secure the title this year, telling the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to ‘wake up’ if they want any chance of sealing their maiden championship.

Verstappen will need a string of results to go his way in the final six rounds of the season, as well as a number of mistakes to be made by his rivals ahead of him in the standings.

If there’s one thing Verstappen has shown during his F1 career, it’s that you can’t count him out.