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 analyses and controversial opinions, made no secret of her anger.
She directly aimed her arrows at Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion who had to relinquish his title to Lando Norris in 2025 after a dramatic season.
Bondi called him “nothing more than a regular, worn-out driver” who “doesn’t deserve any 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 whose best days are behind him”.
According to her, the Dutchman no longer has a place in the ruthless elite of Formula 1, especially now that Red Bull faces enormous challenges with the new power unit rules for 2026.
After these harsh words, the studio fell into absolute silence for seven long seconds. No applause, no reaction, no movement. The tension was palpable. Then Max Verstappen himself took the microphone.
With his characteristically deep calm, he raised his head and looked straight into the camera. That serenity, so often witnessed by the driver who won four consecutive titles, was simply astonishing. Then he spoke only twelve words.
Those few words were enough to shatter the entire atmosphere. Pam Bondi burst into tears on the spot, her face contorted with emotion, before the eyes of millions of viewers worldwide.
This incident comes at a crucial time for the sport. Formula 1 is on the cusp of a revolution in 2026. New technical regulations will bring active aerodynamics, a greater focus on electric power (with a 50/50 split between combustion engine and electric power), and fully sustainable fuels.
Teams like Red Bull are switching to their own power units in partnership with Ford, a move that’s both adventurous and risky. Verstappen, who after four dominant years narrowly finished second in 2025, just 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 Programme who was promoted to the main team in 2025 after a strong rookie season.
Bondi’s outburst didn’t come out of the blue. The 2025 season was a rollercoaster for Verstappen and Red Bull. After a slow start, in which McLaren, with Norris and Oscar Piastri, dominated, the Dutchman fought back.
He won more races than anyone else—eight in total—and staged a heroic comeback, coming from over a hundred points deficit to just two points ahead at the finale in Abu Dhabi. Yet it wasn’t enough.
Norris took his first world title with a third place at Yas Marina, while Verstappen won the race but had to give up the crown.
Critics like Bondi see this as evidence that the dominance is over, that Verstappen was too reliant on a superior car in previous years and is now struggling with less dominant machinery.
Criticism of the Ford power unit isn’t new either. Red Bull Powertrains, backed by Ford, is building its own engine for the first time. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies admitted it would be “naive” to expect them to be at the top right away.
There are likely to be “some very difficult months” ahead, with sleepless nights and headaches. Ford CEO Mark Rushbrook emphasized that the project is on schedule, but acknowledged that established names like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda have a head start thanks to years of experience.
The move to a 50/50 split between ICE and electric requires a completely new approach, and Red Bull must prove it can make the leap.
Yet Verstappen remains the man everyone in the paddock respects—or fears. His composure in times 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 greatest laps ever, such as in Suzuka, where he took pole with a lap 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 finish at Zandvoort as the highlight. But lining up alongside Verstappen is never easy. Hadjar has to prove himself, while Verstappen takes the lead in a team that’s pulling out all the stops for 2026.
The moment with Pam Bondi shows how polarized the debate surrounding Verstappen is. Some see him as the greatest driver of all time, others as someone who took advantage of circumstances.
Bondi’s tears after those twelve words suggest Verstappen struck a chord—perhaps a personal chord, or simply 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 will present their car on January 15th in Detroit – anticipation is building. Verstappen will be driving with number 3 instead of 33 or 1, a symbol of a new beginning.
The uncertainty surrounding the power unit, the new rules and the 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 much to offer the sport. The twelve words that made the studio tremble were only the beginning of a new chapter. The world is eagerly awaiting what’s to come.
