Max Verstappen: The Relentless Champion Faces Red Bull’s Harsh Reality Check!
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, Max Verstappen has been a beacon of brilliance, snatching two wins and an impressive four pole positions in the tumultuous 2025 season. Despite his phenomenal talent, the reigning champion is being issued a stark warning: he cannot single-handedly shoulder the burden of the faltering Red Bull team.
Former F1 star Martin Brundle has praised Verstappen’s sensational qualifying displays this year, yet he firmly states that the Dutch driver cannot “carry” the team indefinitely. This season, Verstappen has matched the pole position tally of formidable rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, showcasing his exceptional skill even with an underperforming RB21 compared to the more competitive McLaren MCL39.
The four-time world champion showcased his prowess by starting from pole in Japan, Saudi Arabia, Miami, and Silverstone, but only converted his pole position in Suzuka into a victory, alongside a win in Imola. To keep pace with McLaren’s qualifying edge, Red Bull has resorted to equipping Verstappen with a dangerously low downforce configuration in recent races, a move that has backfired in mixed weather conditions.
The infamous Silverstone GP served as a painful reminder of this gamble, where Verstappen’s race fell apart due to rain, leaving him at the mercy of his precarious setup. The team learned from their previous miscalculations at Spa-Francorchamps, where they opted for a more conservative rear wing in anticipation of wet conditions. However, during the sprint shootout, they still took a risk with a lightweight rear wing, hoping to secure a front-row start for Verstappen.
The relentless challenges posed by the RB21 have forced Verstappen to push the limits of his driving ability, striving for the best possible qualifying positions and crucial championship points. While the 27-year-old has delivered consistent performances, he now finds himself a staggering 97 points adrift of Piastri in the championship standings.
Brundle, who has been awed by Verstappen’s talent, recognizes the unsustainable nature of this situation. “Yeah, he’s put some laps in, I think I described one of his pole positions as laser-guided,” he stated during an interview with Sky F1. “It was just a beautiful way he was controlling the steering. The car’s moving around; Max can handle that. He just changed his driving style a little bit and carries the speed.”
Brundle highlighted the extraordinary bravery shown by Verstappen at Spa, taking crucial corners at full throttle despite the risk associated with the minimal downforce setup. Yet he ominously warned, “You can’t pick a car up and carry it for a whole season.”
As the F1 summer break approaches, the clock is ticking for Red Bull to address its shortcomings. The pressure is mounting on the team to provide their star driver with a car capable of delivering what his immense talent truly deserves. The battle is far from over, but one thing is crystal clear: Max Verstappen’s time to shine may not be enough to lift Red Bull out of its current slump.
