Once there was a team that dominated Formula 1 like no other. Red Bull Racing, the racing team, who won four driver world championships with Max Verstappen (2021–2024) and several World Cup Championships, stood for unchallenged excellence. But what was once fame is now a tragedy. The team, which once seemed unbeatable, disintegrates in front of the world. Red Bull has lost its shine between wrong decisions, internal power struggles and catastrophic management. The best engineers have left the team, and now the departure of Max Verstappen, the best driver the racing team has ever had. There is nothing left of the unstoppable Red Bull.
The problems began before the beginning of the 2025 season when internal conflicts shook the team. The death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022 initiated an era of uncertainty. Without its clear leadership, the balance of power is shifted. Chalerm Yoovidhya, who holds 51 percent of the company with his family, took control while team boss Christian Horner was involved in a scandal. An internal examination for supposedly inappropriate messages to an employee made headlines and split the team. Motorsport consultant Helmut Marko, a key figure for Verstappen, was about to suspend, which made the world champion publicly assert his loyalty to Marko and threatened with a possible exit. These tensions distracted from the sporting performance and created a climate of uncertainty.
The decline on the route was just as clear. The RB21, Red Bull’s racing car for 2025, suffered from balance problems and a narrow working window that made it difficult for the team to perform constant services. While McLaren shone with a consistently strong performance, Red Bull fought with overheating the tires and unpredictable vehicle dynamics. Red Bull experienced a debacle at the great price of Austria, the team’s home race. Verstappen, who was already talking about a chaotic set-up after qualifying, failed after a crash with Kimi Antonelli. “Everything fallen apart,” he complained. Helmut Marko summed up that the gap to McLaren in the championship was hardly catchy. Only one victory after five races in 2025 – a certificate of poverty for a team that once dominated Formula 1.
A crucial blow was the departure of Adrian Newey, the brilliant designer, who had significantly shaped Red Bull. His departure in early 2024 marked the start of relegation for many. Sergio Pérez, Verstappen’s former teammate, pointed out that the technical problems began with Newey’s departure. The development of the RB21 stagnated without his expertise, while McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes Red Bull overtook. Other important engineers also left the team, often in favor of better perspectives in the competition. The once celebrated aerodynamics department lost its punch and the balance problems of the car were not solved. Verstappen himself emphasized that the further development after the race in Austin 2024 was not a breakthrough. The updates that Red Bull announced for Imola and Barcelona did not turn.
Displacement of dissatisfaction grew. The four -time world champion, known for his overwhelming will, found himself in a car that was not enough for his requirements. His “max factor”-the ability to compensate for deficits with exceptional skills-was no longer sufficient. Rumors about a change circulated, especially to Mercedes, where team boss Toto Wolff showed interest, or to Aston Martin, which attracted with Newey and a high financial offer. Verstappen’s contract runs until 2028, but performance -related exit clauses could enable him to say goodbye. “I want to win,” he emphasized again and again. But Red Bull no longer delivers a winning car.
The decision to replace Liam Lawson after just two races with Yuki Tsunoda underlined the problems with the second cockpit. None of Verstappen’s teammates – neither Gasly, Albon, Pérez nor Lawson – could keep up with him. The car tailored to Verstappen’s driving style proved to be difficult for others. This illustrates Red Bull’s dependence on her superstar. Without him, the team would not only lose a driver, but also his reference point for vehicle development.
The future looks dark. With the new regulations 2026 and its own engine project in cooperation with Ford, Red Bull faces an uncertain era. The final collapse threatens without Newey and with a possible verbanity. They destroyed what Red Bull built in years. The racing team, which once dominated Formula 1, stands in front of the abyss.
