Red Bull started the year with aspirations of fighting for the Championship, at least on the drivers’ front, after claiming a fourth consecutive title with Max Verstappen.
Unfortunately for Red Bull, McLaren’s superiority – which they showed flashes of in testing – became clear in the opening rounds.
Although Verstappen managed to claim a few wins to start the year, improvements were necessary for the RB21 to be competitive enough against the MCL39.
Much of the team’s hopes were pinned on the Spanish GP technical directive.
When McLaren emerged virtually unaffected by the new flexi-wing regulations, Verstappen’s hopes for 2025 were effectively extinguished.
Verstappen says he is optimistic about Red Bull recovery
On paper, Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull does not expire until 2028.
Because of this, one could be forgiven for dismissing the early reports about his contract talks with Mercedes.
Critically, though, an exit clause in his contract gave the Dutchman some room for manoeuvrability – albeit under specific conditions.
As Red Bull’s failure to keep up with McLaren became clear, Verstappen ramped up his discussions with Mercedes.
George Russell, who confirmed the 4-time Champion’s talks with the Silver Arrows, spent several months on the sidelines as Toto Wolff spoke to Verstappen.
Ultimately, though, Verstappen was unable to activate his exit clause.
The 27-year-old could only leave Red bull if he entered the summer break 4th or below in the standings.
When he was guaranteed to finish the first half of the year in 3rd, talks with Toto Wolff’s squad came to an end.
At leas for now, Verstappen is committed to turning around the situation at Red Bull.
Whilst admitting the team’s tricky position, he underlines a confidence in their ability to bounce back.
“Now I feel like [Red Bull’s current phase is] slight rebuilding.
“We’re still of course a very strong team. But I do think that to make again a step up, there’s slight rebuilding or restructuring maybe.
“And understanding a little bit more what’s going on, and that of course takes a little bit of time. But hopefully not too much time.”
“I think that’s also a bit the mentality of the team [to bounce back]. It’s always been like that. So I’m not too worried about that.”
2026 is critical
The importance of the 2026 regulations cannot be overstated, with next year representing a complete reset.
As the 2014 and 2022 rule changes demonstrated, teams who start on the front-foot often consolidate their advantage and dominate for many years.
For Red Bull, next year’s development is of even greater importance.
If they are to retain Max Verstappen’s services, they must produce a car that can win races.
Perhaps more fundamentally, they must demonstrate their new power unit programme (in collaboration with Ford) can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Mercedes.
In many ways, Adrian Newey’s departure last year (and Red Bull’s stagnant development since then) is evidence that the former Champions must reset.
The team have lost several key figures, from Newey to Marshall to Wheatley, over the last eighteen months.
Finding adequate replacements will be essential if Red Bull want to prevent this year’s blip from becoming a downward trend.
Main photo: Photo by Sam Bagnall/Sutton Images (via Red Bull content pool)
