Should Max Verstappen leave Red Bull after F1 2025 season?
It is safe to say that Red Bull is no longer the most dominant constructor in Formula 1. Last season, i.e., the F1 2023-24 season, McLaren was head and shoulders above the rest and went on to clinch the title. In fact, Red Bull finished third after Ferrari. But Red Bull had the last laugh as Max Verstappen won his fourth World Championship title, beating Lando Norris in the process.
The job was not at all easy for the Dutchman. While his fellow partner Sergio Perez continued to drop poor performances, it was Max who carried the entire team on his shoulders. Post the summer break, McLaren made impressive improvements to their car and looked like a league of their own. Come the F1 2025 season, things have been the same.
Red Bull – No Longer The Most Dominant Team
After the last season concluded, Red Bull decided to bench Sergio Perez. Instead, they brought in Liam Lawson. But the Kiwi racer, too, was displaced after back-to-back poor performances in Australia and China. Yuki Tsunoda was promoted to the senior seat as Lawson was swapped to the Racing Bull seat.
Japan showcased why Max Verstappen is still the best and fastest driver on the track. But races are not won by the sheer ability of the driver alone. For one to be the champion, the driver also needs to have a car that will make him a champion. And frankly, Red Bull can’t offer the same to the Dutch champion. Last week’s Bahrain GP was a prime example of the same.
In the meantime, over the last couple of years, Red Bull has also lost some key members of the staff and engineers. The biggest of them being Adrian Newey. The Brit has joined Aston Martin for this season but hasn’t contributed anything to this season’s car. It can be expected that Aston Martin will be a team to reckon with in the F1 2026 season when the engine and other regulations kick in.
Also Read: Jeddah GP 2025: All You Need to Know about Formula 1 Saudi Arabian GP 2025
What Happens To Max Verstappen After F1 2025 Season?
Every change has seen a side making huge strides compared to the others. In the turbo hybrid era, Mercedes dominated the tracks. After a change in regulations, Red Bull took over, and now it is McLaren that tops the charts. But come next year, it can be Aston Martin or even Ferrari who will be the better team.
Coming to Verstappen, the question remains: should he leave Red Bull after this season? Let’s be frank – Max has previously claimed that he doesn’t want to devote his entire career to Formula 1. He wants to give his attention to other aspects of racing as well. Though he has a huge contract with him till 2028, he can make a switch in 2026.
But for Max to continue his reign as a world champion, he should make his choices carefully. Max will need a team that can make him a champion. After 4 races this season, Max is currently placed third in the driver’s championship behind Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and closely followed by George Russell. Until a team makes huge improvements this season, McLaren will most likely clinch the constructors’ title again.
The same can’t be said about Max, however. On his day, Max will be in a league of his own, leaving the second-placed driver with a gap of more than 15 or 20 seconds. But in a long season, such rare 1-2 races won’t make the cut. Loyalty is good, but the hunger and the striving to remain a champion are different. So, the ideal scenario for Max would likely be to make a switch to another contending team in the F1 2026 season.
EN 
ES
Post Comment