Since the passing of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022, the team has struggled to maintain the same clarity and decisiveness that once defined its dominance in Formula 1. That’s the view of Gerhard Berger, who believes Red Bull’s internal turmoil has put the Milton Keynes-based outfit at a crossroads.
Perez’s Contract Drama: A Symptom of a Bigger Issue?
Red Bull’s handling of Sergio Pérez in 2024 was a prime example of its lack of direction, according to Berger. The team renewed Checo’s contract early in the season, only to later sack him for 2025—a decision that baffled insiders and fans alike.
“You could see that things were no longer working well. Nobody in this business understood that he was given another contract then. There could have been reasons like marketing or the contract situation.”
Berger emphasized that Red Bull’s decision-making process seemed scattered, pointing to how the team kept extending Pérez’s deadlines rather than making a firm call.
“They gave him three more races, then two more, and refused to take a decision. I couldn’t see a clear line there. In Mateschitz’s time, Red Bull was always known for its clarity.”
This lack of firm leadership has raised eyebrows, especially considering how Red Bull operated under Mateschitz, where swift, bold decisions were the norm.
Horner vs. Marko: A Power Struggle Brewing?
The power structure at Red Bull has also come under scrutiny, with reported tensions between team principal Christian Horner and motorsport advisor Helmut Marko.
Berger warns that such power struggles often mark the “beginning of the end” for a dominant team.
“It is often the beginning of the end when such topics dominate. Formula 1 is so complex and so competitive that you can only be successful if everyone in the team puts their shoulders to the wheel, if everyone agrees and communicates well with each other.”
If these internal conflicts persist, Red Bull could find itself in the same position as Mercedes post-2021—struggling to maintain dominance while internal politics erode team cohesion.
Can Red Bull Keep Its Momentum in 2025?
Despite the chaos behind the scenes, Red Bull still managed to close out 2024 strong, with Max Verstappen clinching his fourth world title.
However, Berger’s warning is clear—if Red Bull doesn’t address its leadership struggles and regain its signature clarity, it could spell trouble for the reigning champions.
With Ferrari and Mercedes sharpening their weapons for 2025, and McLaren emerging as a dark horse, Red Bull can’t afford to let internal strife derail its dominance.
Will Red Bull find its old decisiveness, or is Berger right—are we witnessing the beginning of the end? Only time will tell.