Max Verstappen’s reign in Formula 1 is set to come to an end in 2025 as Red Bull’s regression has taken him out of the championship race.
The Dutchman has been utterly dominant in recent seasons, winning the last four championships. However, McLaren have dethroned Verstappen in 2025 as they hold a commanding lead in the standings.
Position Drivers’ Championship PointsPts 1 284 2 275 3 187 4 172 5 151 6 109 7 64 8 54 9 37 10 27
Red Bull have depended on the 27-year-old more than ever this season; they would be last in the constructors’ championship without his points. It has been a turbulent year for the team, with Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda struggling to perform in the second seat.
The car has even been difficult for Verstappen to drive, with the Dutchman expressing frustration over the lack of progress with upgrades. Red Bull’s drop in performance is believed to have caused Christian Horner’s sacking as team principal, but the real reason has not been disclosed.
Robert Doornbos says Red Bull must change their technical department, or Verstappen will not win another title ‘anytime soon’. But even with the team’s problems, it has not stopped the four-time champion from producing moments of brilliance.
Photo by Bryn Lennon – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty ImagesChristian Horner was stunned by Max Verstappen’s data at the Japanese Grand Prix before his Red Bull exit
Verstappen has outdriven the RB21 in 2025, grabbing two wins and four pole positions. The first of those came at the Japanese Grand Prix, where he completely stunned the paddock.
The Dutchman produced a storming lap in qualifying to take pole from Lando Norris by just 12 thousandths of a second. Damon Hill had just four words for Verstappen after his stunning effort, while former teammate Pierre Gasly was ‘astounded’ by Verstappen’s performance.
PosDriverTeamQ31Max VerstappenOracle Red Bull Racing1m26.983s2Lando NorrisMcLaren F1 Team1m26.995s3Oscar PiastriMcLaren F1 Team1m27.052s4Charles LeclercScuderia Ferrari HP1m27.299s5George RussellMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team1m27.318s6Kimi AntonelliMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team1m27.555s7Isack HadjarVisa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team1m27.569s8Lewis HamiltonScuderia Ferrari HP1m27.610s9Alex AlbonAtlassian Williams Racing1m27.615s10Oliver BearmanMoneyGram Haas F1 Team1m27.867s2025 Japanese Grand Prix qualifying results
Journalist Matt Majendie spoke with Horner during the race, and he recalled how the ex-Red Bull boss was left ‘head-blown’ by Verstappen’s data. He held off a challenge from the McLarens to claim victory at Suzuka.
“I love Suzuka. I love that when it cuts to the pit wall and Horner and Wache are just looking, you know, like proper head-blown moment,” said Majendie via The Inside Track.
“And I talked to Horner about that and he talked [about] how he was watching the telemetry and seeing whether he was up or down or whatever, and just couldn’t quite believe it.
“And I love it that Verstappen can still surprise that team with his brilliance and that was such a moment that, I don’t know. It felt like a lap that no other driver would do on the grid maybe?”
READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
Photo by Andrea Diodato/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesHow does Max Verstappen feel about Christian Horner’s sacking?
Horner was sacked by Red Bull shortly after the British GP. The 51-year-old spent 20 years at the Milton Keynes outfit and enjoyed such incredible success in that time, winning eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships.
Rumours suggested that Verstappen had pushed for Horner to be sacked after demanding internal changes at the team, but Verstappen’s camp dismissed those claims as ‘nonsense’. The Dutchman is keen to work with new boss Laurent Mekies as F1 heads towards the 2026 technical regulations.
Verstappen has been sending supportive messages to Horner since his sacking. The pair had a great relationship in the paddock, but the 27-year-old is now faced with a new environment at the team.
Verstappen warned Red Bull’s Thai owners that they must prove to him that sacking Horner was the right decision, amid speculation that he could leave the team after 2026. Verstappen promised Marko he would stay at Red Bull, but things could change if their package is uncompetitive.