After crashing out of the team standings and losing key figures, Max Verstappen talks about a necessary “rebuilding phase” at Red Bull
Just two years ago, Red Bull seemed untouchable. Four consecutive world championship titles had made the Milton Keynes-based team the dominant force in Formula 1. Today, in the summer of 2025, not much of that remains. McLaren reigns supreme, Ferrari and Mercedes are mixing it up at the front – and Red Bull is languishing in fourth place in the constructors’ championship.
The disaster doesn’t end on the track. With the departure of technical guru Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, the team lost two central pillars. And then came the bombshell: after almost two decades, Christian Horner had to step down. Laurent Mekies has been leading the team since July.
Max Verstappen, who has scored 187 of Red Bull’s 194 points so far, spoke openly about the situation to F1.com. “The team had already gone through a phase of winning titles before I arrived. When I came, it was more of a rebuilding process. Then we reached the peak again and won titles,” he explained. “Now I feel like it’s a bit of a rebuild again.”
Patience is needed – does Verstappen have it?
“We are still a very strong team, of course. But to take another step forward, we need a little rebuilding or perhaps restructuring and a better understanding of what is happening right now. That will take some time, of course – hopefully not too long.“
At the same time, he emphasized that he believes the team can fight its way back. ”I think that’s also part of the team’s mentality, to always come back from setbacks. It’s always been that way. That’s why I’m not too worried about it.”
While Red Bull is searching for direction internally, Verstappen remains third in the drivers’ standings behind Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. Without his consistency, the team would have long since slipped into no man’s land in the standings.
After the summer break, all eyes will be on Zandvoort, where Verstappen’s home race will take place from August 29 to 31. For the four-time world champion, it will not only be a sporting highlight, but also an important indicator of whether Red Bull can turn things around.