Jacques Villeneuve isn’t shy from stirring the pot. The 1997 F1 World Champion is convinced that Red Bull’s recent domination isn’t just about the team, it isn’t just about the car, it’s about Max Verstappen — and Max Verstappen above all. Now, of course, Formula 1 has always had this great debate — is it the car, is it the driver, is it the team behind the scenes?

But Villeneuve says, quite plainly, that Verstappen “made that team champions.” And while he does admit the rest of the squad matters, his message is clear: the man behind the wheel is the decisive factor. And right now, that man is Max Verstappen.

Verstappen is the glue holding Red Bull together in 2025, as the team appears lost without the technical guidance of Adrian Newey, who departed following the turmoil sparked by scrutiny of Christian Horner’s personal conduct.

In a recent media interview, Villeneuve elaborated on why Max Verstappen is the driving force behind everything at Red Bull.

“He [Verstappen] carried that team. He made that team [Red Bull] champions. Verstappen was the key factor — him and Adrian Newey together — but he was the key. Verstappen was extremely, extremely important — the key element.”

“And also Horner, the way he was running the team, the whole group there got it. Then it all went haywire a little bit. But Verstappen was extremely, extremely important — the key element.”

Verstappen will prove his worth again as Formula 1 returns from the summer break and heads into the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend.