Red Bull struggle threatens Max Verstappen’s F1 world title hopes

Verstappen’s 2025 F1 title defence is at risk as Red Bull falters ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Oracle Red Bull Racing mechanics push Max Verstappen of the Netherlands in the RB21 car to the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on April 13, 2025, in Bahrain. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Red Bull’s struggle threatens Max Verstappen’s F1 world title hopes as the team heads to Jeddah for the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend. The defending champions appear to be limping into the Red Sea venue with more problems than solutions after a difficult start to the season that now casts doubt over Verstappen’s quest for a fifth consecutive world title.

The once-dominant outfit finds itself searching for answers following a dismal performance in Bahrain, where their weaknesses were brutally exposed under the Sakhir floodlights. Verstappen could only manage sixth place, over thirty seconds behind the race winner, a result that dropped him to third in the drivers’ standings and added urgency to Red Bull’s growing crisis.

Bahrain blues and the harsh reality

Coming off a win in Suzuka, Red Bull might have hoped to regain momentum in Bahrain. Instead, their vulnerabilities were magnified. Verstappen's sixth-place finish left him eight points adrift of McLaren’s Lando Norris in the title race. Even more alarming is the state of the constructors’ championship: Red Bull now trails McLaren by a staggering 80 points just four rounds into the 2025 campaign.

The Bahrain Grand Prix was a litmus test, and Red Bull failed it. Verstappen was at one point dead last, struggling with a car that simply refused to cooperate with tyre performance and track conditions. After the race, team principal Christian Horner did not sugarcoat the issues, admitting in a tense debrief at the Red Bull hospitality tent that the team’s problems were "very clear" and needed fixing "very quickly."

Crisis mode in Sakhir

As McLaren celebrated their third victory in four races, Red Bull retreated into emergency talks. Horner was joined by senior figures including Helmut Marko, technical director Pierre Wache, and chief engineer Paul Monaghan. The meeting underscored how seriously the team views their slump.

Verstappen himself offered a stark assessment of their Bahrain weekend: "Basically everything went wrong," he said, before pointing out how the car’s poor tyre interaction and performance issues made everything worse on a track like Sakhir.

The crisis is not just mechanical. It’s also emotional. Verstappen has never looked more isolated in the Red Bull garage, especially as his teammates continue to underperform.

One-man fight

Red Bull’s woes would be far worse if not for Verstappen’s brilliance. The Dutchman is dragging a troubled car to results it barely deserves. His win in Japan came down to a near-miraculous qualifying session, arguably one of his best ever, masking the fact that the RB21 lacks consistency across varying track conditions.

Meanwhile, Red Bull’s rotating second-seat problem continues to cost them dearly. Liam Lawson, the promising New Zealander, was dropped after just two races, unable to decode the car’s finicky handling. His replacement, Yuki Tsunoda, has struggled as well—scoring only two points from ninth place in Sakhir after finishing outside the points in Japan.

Without a reliable second driver, Verstappen finds himself fighting alone. That lack of support hampers Red Bull’s strategic options on race day and gives rivals like McLaren and Mercedes a two-car advantage.

Brain drain at the worst time

The timing of Red Bull’s technical and strategic slump coincides with a talent exodus that has gutted their upper ranks. The biggest shock came with Adrian Newey’s decision to leave. The legendary engineer, who designed Red Bull’s most successful cars, has joined Aston Martin. His absence is already being felt.

Sporting director Jonathan Wheatley also left, taking over as team principal at Sauber. The departure of head of race strategy Will Courtenay to McLaren adds salt to the wound, especially as Rob Marshall—Red Bull’s former chief designer—has been helping McLaren surge forward since last year.

These losses have hollowed out Red Bull’s core just when Verstappen needs the strongest possible technical foundation to fight back.

Doubts about Verstappen’s future

Verstappen’s contract runs through 2028, and until recently, there was little reason to believe he wouldn’t honour it. In an October interview last year, he stated his intent to stay with the team that gave him his first title. However, Red Bull’s recent instability may be testing that loyalty.

Speaking to Sky Germany on Monday, Helmut Marko expressed deep concern about Verstappen’s future. “The concern is great,” he said. “Improvements have to come in the near future so that he has a car with which he can win again.”

Marko’s words hit like a warning shot. Verstappen is at the peak of his career and has no shortage of potential suitors should he decide Red Bull no longer offers him the tools to win.

Jeddah and beyond

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix offers Red Bull a chance to regroup, but the pressure is immense. Jeddah’s high-speed corners and unforgiving layout will expose any aerodynamic or tyre performance shortcomings. If Red Bull fails to deliver here, it could mark a turning point—not just for this season, but for the team’s future.

Internally, Red Bull insists they understand the car’s issues and are working on fixes. However, the competition is not waiting. McLaren has surged ahead, Mercedes is quietly building momentum, and even Ferrari appears more consistent.

Verstappen cannot be expected to carry the team indefinitely. Without immediate improvements and a clear direction forward, Red Bull risks losing not just races, but the confidence of their star driver and the dominance they’ve built over the past four seasons.

The bigger picture

Red Bull’s struggle threatens Max Verstappen’s F1 world title hopes and reflects a broader challenge facing the team. Formula One is evolving rapidly, and success is no longer guaranteed by past glories. Technical innovation, team cohesion, and driver support are more crucial than ever.

Whether Red Bull can correct course will depend on their ability to stabilize their leadership, address performance issues, and regain the trust of their lead driver. The season is still young, but the signs are ominous.

For now, all eyes are on Jeddah. Red Bull needs a result—not just for the points, but to prove they still belong at the front of the grid. If they fail again, the whispers about Verstappen’s next move will only grow louder.