Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 title charge has steadily fallen away in 2025 as Red Bull’s car has failed to match either McLaren.
It’s a rather disappointing end to the Dutchman’s incredible run over the last four years, which saw him become just the fifth driver ever to win four consecutive drivers’ championships.
The reason for it boils down to Red Bull’s lack of development, as they have failed to bring a car capable of competing for much more than a podium at most events.
Understandably, Verstappen’s frustrations grew, and a key turning point came after the British Grand Prix when ex-boss Christian Horner was fired after 20 years with the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
Already, a Red Bull chief is under mounting ‘pressure’ as a result of their lack of productivity. They have to find answers soon.
With only four months of the year to go, Red Bull still have to pick Verstappen’s teammate for 2026, and nobody quite knows who it will be currently.
READ MORE: How Max Verstappen may have made Lewis Hamilton realise he’s ‘lost’ something since joining Ferrari
Photo by ANP via Getty ImagesMax Verstappen failed to end Red Bull podium run at the Hungarian Grand Prix
Red Bull have ‘fundamental issues’ with Verstappen’s car, and it’s something they might not be able to solve until the 2026 F1 regulations.
With a new ruleset comes a completely blank slate for them to exploit, wiping the behaviours of their car and giving their drivers a new platform to build from. A fresh start is exactly what they need.
The RB21 is a machine that lost its way a while ago and has transformed into something that works well only under extremely specific circumstances. A nightmare for any top team, just ask Mercedes.
It’s part of the reason why, after seven years, Verstappen has just gone four races without scoring a podium for Red Bull.
For the first time since the opening four races of the 2018 season, when the team were powered by Renault still, the Dutchman has failed to score a trophy for four events.
In Hungary, Red Bull’s ‘wrong’ simulator setup caused Verstappen’s woes, but they must find a way to raise their standards for him again. Otherwise, a departure in the future could be a real possibility.
READ MORE: George Russell makes ‘strange’ Max Verstappen comment immediately after the Hungarian Grand Prix
Why something Max Verstappen said will have been ‘demotivating’ to Red Bull staff
After what felt like months of rumours tying him to Mercedes, it was recently confirmed that Verstappen will remain with Red Bull for 2026.
He has a contract until 2028, but a unique performance clause could have allowed him to exit his deal early, during the summer break.
After managing to remain inside the top three of the drivers’ standings, it was declared that, without being bought out of his deal, he will remain a Red Bull driver.
Verstappen said something ‘demotivating’ to Red Bull staff by declaring that they won’t win at all in the final 10 races this season.
Instead, their focus would be spent better on making sure that they get off to the best possible start next year, and peg their rivals back from where they are now.