Max Verstappen’s four-year collaboration with his trainer Bradley Scanes came to a deeply emotional end, a split that has left a lasting impact on both figures within the Formula 1 community. From 2020 to 2023, the duo shared unprecedented success, with Verstappen winning three of his four world championships while under Scanes’ guidance. Despite their professional triumphs, the conclusion of their partnership revealed a more complex and heartfelt story behind the scenes.
Revealing the Difficult Decision to Part Ways
In a revealing discussion on the High Performance podcast, Scanes described the challenging process of informing Verstappen about his decision to step away as trainer. The choice was made during a critical summer break amidst fierce competition for the championship, yet Scanes delayed delivering the news even after Verstappen’s championship win in Qatar. He said,
“It took me ages to tell him,”
and added,
“I decided in the summer break that I’ve got to do this,”
illustrating the internal struggle he faced.
The tension grew in the days leading to a key Monaco race weekend, as Scanes postponed telling Verstappen several times. Finally, on the Friday before his flight, Scanes confronted the moment:
“I prepared to tell him on the Tuesday, then the Wednesday, then the Thursday. Then on Friday, just before my flight, I finally said, ‘mate I’ve got something I need to tell you,’”
he recalled. This announcement visibly unsettled Verstappen, marking one of the rare occasions Scanes saw the usually composed Dutch driver genuinely upset. Reflecting on the moment, Scanes said,
“It was nice and not so nice at the same time,”
highlighting the complicated emotions involved.
Deciding to Part on Good Terms Despite the Breakup
Though they considered trying to maintain their professional relationship, Verstappen and Scanes ultimately agreed that their career directions no longer aligned. The pair consciously chose to conclude the year positively and preserve their friendship. Scanes described the separation as
“hard; it was definitely like a breakup,”
confirming the emotional toll. When asked if emotions ran high, he candidly confirmed,
“Yeah for sure… like the welling up!”
Ongoing Challenges for Verstappen After the Trainer Split
Following the split, Verstappen’s performance has experienced notable fluctuations. Despite clinching the 2024 championship without Scanes, he managed to win only two of the last 14 races that season. This trend continued into 2025, with only two victories again in the first 14 events. These results have prompted speculation about Verstappen’s long-term future with Red Bull Racing, as rival teams such as Mercedes have shown interest in acquiring him.
Amid swirling rumors, Verstappen firmly stated at the Hungarian Grand Prix that he will remain with Red Bull for the 2026 season. However, beyond that horizon, uncertainty remains. Industry insiders suggest Verstappen may use the upcoming season to evaluate teams’ adaptation to new regulations before considering any changes.
Bradley Scanes’ New Role in Motorsport Beyond Verstappen
While no longer directly working with Verstappen, Scanes remains active within the racing world. He has transitioned to roles as a performance coach and physiotherapist for Red Bull, alongside acting as a human performance consultant for Honda Racing Corporation. His expertise continues to influence Formula 1, though his relationship with Verstappen now exists outside the trainer-athlete dynamic.
The Emotional Impact and What Lies Ahead for Verstappen
The personal and professional parting of Max Verstappen and Bradley Scanes underscores the human side of competitive sports, where success is intertwined with profound personal connections and difficult decisions. As the 2026 season approaches, fans and insiders alike will closely monitor Verstappen’s efforts to regain his dominance amid shifting team dynamics and regulatory changes, while also observing how his journey beyond this significant split unfolds.