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Red Bull’s critical flaw exposed: can Laurent Mekies save their F1 championship dreams?

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
December 22, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Red Bull’s critical flaw exposed: can Laurent Mekies save their F1 championship dreams?

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - NOVEMBER 28: Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing is interviewed during Sprint Qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit on November 28, 2025 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202511281001 // Usage for editorial use only //

Red Bull’s Championship Hopes Crippled by One-Car Team Structure: Mekies’ Challenge Ahead!

In the high-octane realm of Formula 1, Red Bull Racing finds itself grappling with an alarming issue that could thwart its ambitions for a constructors’ championship. Despite the fresh leadership of Laurent Mekies, who recently took the reins from the iconic Christian Horner, the team’s one-car strategy casts a long shadow over its competitive edge. Sam Bird, a prominent figure in the motorsport community, has laid bare the stark reality facing the Milton Keynes powerhouse.

Since the British Grand Prix, all eyes have been on Mekies as he navigates the turbulent waters of F1, with the RB21 struggling to keep pace with the formidable McLaren MCL39. Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, has found himself adrift in the driver standings, trailing behind McLaren’s duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri by a staggering 69 and 61 points, respectively. However, Mekies’ arrival seems to have sparked a turnaround; by the time the Italian Grand Prix rolled around, the RB21 had undergone a groundbreaking transformation, thanks in part to a critical floor upgrade. This rejuvenation allowed Verstappen to claw back to within two points of Norris by season’s end, winning six of the final nine races.

Bird, speaking on the F1 Chequered Flag Podcast, commended Mekies for his rapid revitalization of the team. “I think Mekies has done a really good job in galvanising that team,” Bird asserted, reflecting on the dismal prognosis for Red Bull just a couple of years ago. “The decisions that he’s made have been really strong.” Yet, amidst this newfound energy, a critical vulnerability looms large.

The unrelenting truth is that Red Bull remains shackled by its one-car operation, which has hindered its ability to contend for the constructors’ championship for two consecutive seasons, finishing a disappointing third both years. Bird emphasized this point, stating, “The one thing about Red Bull, though, is they are still a one-car team. Unless Max Verstappen wins every race, I can’t see them challenging for a constructors’ championship again.”

Looking ahead, the pressure is mounting on Mekies to implement radical changes in car development as the F1 regulations undergo significant overhauls next season. With Isack Hadjar stepping into the second seat, the spotlight is not only on Verstappen but also on Hadjar, who must defy the low expectations set for him to elevate Red Bull’s status from a mere single-car team to a formidable force in the constructors’ hunt.

As Red Bull prepares for another fierce season, the clock is ticking. Will Mekies’ leadership be enough to shatter the one-car barrier, or will Red Bull remain a shadow of its former self in the relentless race for the championship? The motorsport world is watching, and the stakes have never been higher.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-mclaren-f1-championshiplaurent-mekiesmax-verstappen-enoracle-red-bull-racingsam-bird
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