Home » 12 Signs Red Bull Racing F1 Team Has a Bumpy Road Ahead in 2025
12 Signs Red Bull Racing F1 Team Has a Bumpy Road Ahead in 2025
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA - JUNE 28: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 in the Pitlane during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 28, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202506280447 // Usage for editorial use only //
Red Bull Racing’s once-unstoppable momentum has faltered in 2025, following a period of internal upheaval, leadership turnover, and on-track struggles. With the abrupt exit of Christian Horner and a cascade of technical and personnel changes, the team faces its most challenging season in over a decade. Here are twelve fact-checked signs that Red Bull’s road ahead is anything but smooth.
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 27: Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202506270106 // Usage for editorial use only //
Christian Horner’s dismissal after nearly 20 years has left a leadership vacuum at the heart of Red Bull. His replacement, Laurent Mekies, inherits a team in turmoil and must quickly steady the ship amid uncertainty and shifting loyalties.
2. Max Verstappen’s Uncertain Commitment
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JUNE 15: Second placed Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Third placed Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by James Sutton/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202506150810 // Usage for editorial use only //
Despite a contract through 2028, Verstappen has mechanisms that could allow an early exit. With Mercedes courting him and Red Bull’s performance dipping, Verstappen’s long-term future with the team is now in question—a major destabilizing factor.
3. The Second Driver Problem
IMOLA, ITALY – MAY 17: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari on May 17, 2025 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202505170243 // Usage for editorial use only //
Red Bull’s inability to find a competitive teammate for Verstappen has worsened. Yuki Tsunoda, promoted after Liam Lawson’s brief stint, has struggled with pace, confidence, and consistency, leaving Red Bull effectively a one-car team and losing crucial constructors’ points.
4. Senior Technical Talent Drain
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The departures of Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, Rob Marshall, and strategy chief Will Courtney have gutted Red Bull’s technical and operational core. These losses have disrupted continuity and innovation, making it harder to maintain their competitive edge.
5. Car Performance Decline
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 28: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan driving the (22) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 28, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202506280307 // Usage for editorial use only //
After dominating in 2023, Red Bull’s RB21 has hit a development dead end. The car’s performance has dropped, with only two wins at mid-season and McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes closing the gap or overtaking them in race pace.
6. Verstappen’s Public Frustration
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 16: Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing in the garage prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 16, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202503160067 // Usage for editorial use only //
Max Verstappen has openly criticized the team’s inability to address car issues and deliver improvements. His vocal dissatisfaction has increased pressure on management and contributed to a tense atmosphere in the garage.
7. Tumultuous Team Culture
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JULY 03: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone on July 03, 2022 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202207030652 // Usage for editorial use only //
Internal power struggles and shifting allegiances have unsettled Red Bull’s once-cohesive culture. The loss of longstanding leaders and the arrival of new management have left staff uncertain and morale fragile.
8. Constructors’ Standings Slump
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JUNE 09: Kevin Magnussen of Denmark driving the (20) Haas F1 VF-24 Ferrari leads Esteban Ocon of France driving the (31) Alpine F1 A524 Renault, Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 and Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Alpine F1 A524 Renault during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 09, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202406090979 // Usage for editorial use only //
Red Bull, after years of dominance, is now fourth in the constructors’ championship at mid-season—a significant drop that highlights the scale of their decline and the effectiveness of rivals’ development programs.
9. Unresolved Second Car Issues
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 29: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan driving the (22) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 leads Nico Hulkenberg of Germany driving the (27) Kick Sauber C45 Ferrari on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Zak Mauger/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202506290616 // Usage for editorial use only //
Persistent problems with the No. 2 Red Bull—ranging from tire degradation to lack of pace—remain unsolved. Mekies must urgently identify whether the issue is technical, operational, or psychological to avoid further wasted potential.
10. Infrastructure and Wind Tunnel Delays
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 31: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan driving the (22) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 31, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Zak Mauger/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202505310273 // Usage for editorial use only //
Red Bull’s new wind tunnel, crucial for future car development, is still under construction. Until it’s operational, the team is at a disadvantage compared to rivals with state-of-the-art facilities, limiting their ability to respond quickly to technical challenges.
11. Uncertainty Over 2026 Power Unit
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Arvid Lindblad of Great Britain and Oracle Red Bull Racing in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 04, 2025 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202507040218 // Usage for editorial use only //
The all-new Red Bull Powertrains project, greenlit under Horner, is the team’s biggest gamble for the new engine regulations. If development falters, Red Bull could fall behind established manufacturers like Mercedes and Honda, with no quick fix available.
12. Rivals Sensing Opportunity
BARCELONA, SPAIN – JUNE 01: Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W16 and the rest of the field at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 01, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202506010781 // Usage for editorial use only //
With Red Bull destabilized, rivals such as McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes are capitalizing—poaching key staff, accelerating car development, and intensifying their pursuit of Verstappen. The competitive landscape is shifting, and Red Bull can no longer rely on past dominance.
Conclusion
IMOLA, ITALY – MAY 17: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari on May 17, 2025 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202505170370 // Usage for editorial use only //
Red Bull Racing faces a perfect storm of leadership changes, technical setbacks, and driver uncertainty as the 2025 season unfolds. The team’s ability to adapt to new management, rebuild its technical strength, and keep Max Verstappen committed will determine whether it can recover or faces a prolonged period of struggle. For the first time in years, Red Bull’s future at the front of Formula 1 is genuinely in doubt.
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