Pam Bondi explodes in fierce criticism of Max Verstappen during live broadcast: “He is nothing more than an ordinary, worn-out driver”. In a striking and emotionally charged moment during a live broadcast about the future of Formula 1, Pam Bondi, known for her sharp analyzes and controversial opinions, did not hide her anger.
She aimed directly at Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion who had to relinquish his title to Lando Norris after a dramatic season in 2025. Bondi called him “nothing more than an ordinary, worn-out driver” who “deserves no respect” and predicted he will “certainly fail disastrously again with the Ford power unit”.
She went on to describe Verstappen as “someone who lives on the glories of the past” and a “champion who is past his prime”. According to her, the Dutchman no longer has a place in Formula 1’s ruthless elite, especially now that Red Bull faces enormous challenges with the new power unit rules for 2026.
The studio fell into absolute silence after these harsh words that lasted for seven long seconds. No applause, no reaction, no movement. The tension was palpable. Then Max Verstappen took the microphone himself.
With his characteristic deep calm, he lifted his head and looked straight into the camera. That serenity, which many have seen so often in the driver who won four titles in a row, was nothing short of astonishing. Then he spoke only twelve words.
Those few words were enough to break the entire atmosphere. Pam Bondi burst into tears on the spot, her face contorted with emotion, in front of millions of viewers worldwide.
This incident comes at a crucial time for the sport. Formula 1 is on the eve of a revolution in 2026. New technical regulations bring active aerodynamics, a greater focus on electrical energy (with a 50/50 split between combustion engine and electric) and fully sustainable fuels.
Teams such as Red Bull are switching to their own power units in collaboration with Ford, a step that is both adventurous and risky. Verstappen, who after four dominant years finished second in 2025, only two points behind Norris, now has to prove himself in an uncertain new era.
His teammate will be the young Isack Hadjar, a talent from the Red Bull Junior Program who was promoted to the main team in 2025 after a strong rookie season.
Bondi’s outburst did not come out of the blue. The 2025 season was a rollercoaster for Verstappen and Red Bull. After a slow start, in which McLaren dominated with Norris and Oscar Piastri, the Dutchman fought back.
He won more races than anyone else – eight in total – and engineered a heroic comeback from more than a hundred points behind to within just two in the final in Abu Dhabi. Yet it wasn’t enough.
Norris took his first world title with a third place in Yas Marina, while Verstappen won the race but had to let go of the crown. Critics such as Bondi see this as evidence that the dominance is over, that Verstappen was too dependent on a superior car in previous years and is now struggling with less dominant machines.
The criticism of the Ford power unit is also not new. Red Bull Powertrains, backed by Ford, is building its own engine for the first time. Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies admitted it would be “naive” to think they would immediately be at the top.
There are probably “some very difficult months” ahead, with sleepless nights and headaches. Ford CEO Mark Rushbrook emphasized that the project is on track, but acknowledged that established names such as Mercedes, Ferrari and Honda have an advantage due to years of experience.
The switch to a 50/50 split between ICE and electric requires a completely new approach, and Red Bull must prove that it can make the leap. Yet Verstappen remains the man that everyone in the paddock respects – or fears. His calmness in moments of crisis, his ability to get the most out of the car and his sheer speed make him unique.
In 2025 he delivered some of the best laps ever, including at Suzuka, where he took pole with a lap that many called “magical”. Even after losing the title, he remained focused.
Hadjar’s promotion is a gamble: the 21-year-old Frenchman showed maturity and speed in 2025, with a podium in Zandvoort as the highlight. But standing next to Verstappen is never easy. Hadjar must prove himself, while Verstappen takes the lead in a team that is doing everything it can for 2026.
The moment with Pam Bondi shows how polarized the discussion around Verstappen is. Some see him as the best driver of all time, others as someone who took advantage of circumstances.
Bondi’s tears after those twelve words suggest that Verstappen struck something – perhaps a personal chord, or just the sheer impact of his words. What exactly he said remains a mystery, but the effect was devastating.
It underlines his mental strength: instead of responding to criticism, he opts for precision and calmness. As the launches of the 2026 cars approach – Red Bull and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls present on January 15 in Detroit – anticipation is building. Verstappen drives with number 3 instead of 33 or 1, a symbol of a new beginning.
The uncertainty about the power unit, the new rules and competition from McLaren, Ferrari (with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc) and newcomers such as Audi and Cadillac make 2026 one of the most open seasons in years.
Max Verstappen remains the central figure. His reaction to Bondi was typical: no drama, no excuses, just pure class. Whether the criticism is justified or not, one thing is certain: the Dutchman is far from finished.
Formula 1 needs him, and he still has a lot to offer the sport. The twelve words that shook the studio were just the beginning of a new chapter. The world is eagerly awaiting what is to come.
