Red Bull’s Struggle: Is Max Verstappen Carrying the Team Single-Handedly?
Red Bull Racing has found themselves in a predicament as they struggle to secure a competitive teammate for their star driver, Max Verstappen. The recent lineup changes in the 2025 Formula 1 season have not alleviated this issue, with Sergio Perez’s replacement, Liam Lawson, failing to score any points in just two races, and Yuki Tsunoda only showing marginal improvement by qualifying 15th and failing to score as well.
Max Verstappen has emerged as the sole hope for Red Bull in the constructors’ championship, with concerns rising about whether the development of the RB21 car has been too focused on catering to his specific driving style. The introduction of ground effect regulations in 2022 highlighted the disparity between Verstappen and his teammates, as the car’s evolution leaned towards accommodating his preferences, leaving other drivers struggling to keep up.
Former Red Bull driver, Alex Albon, shed light on the challenge of matching Verstappen’s driving feel, emphasizing the Dutch driver’s unique sensitivity and the difficulty other drivers face in adapting to the car’s responsiveness. The team’s overemphasis on Verstappen’s preferences has led to a widening performance gap and a struggle for consistency among drivers.
As Red Bull faces mounting competition from rivals like McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, the team is under pressure to address the imbalance within their lineup and make the RB21 car more accessible to all drivers, not just Verstappen. Updates are in the pipeline to enhance the car’s drivability and performance, aiming to level the playing field and reduce Verstappen’s overwhelming advantage in qualifying sessions.
Despite visually resembling its predecessor, the RB21 is set to undergo significant upgrades to improve its operability and address Verstappen’s concerns about setup challenges during race weekends. The team is hopeful that these changes will not only benefit Verstappen but also provide much-needed support to the struggling second seat within the team.
With Red Bull’s dominance at stake and Verstappen carrying the team on his shoulders, the pressure is on for the team to deliver a car that can compete effectively against their rivals. The upcoming upgrades will be crucial in determining Red Bull’s ability to contend for both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, offering a glimmer of hope for a more balanced and competitive team performance.