A Rough Start to 2025

Just a year ago, Red Bull was untouchable. Max Verstappen was racking up wins with robotic precision, and the RB20 was the class of the field. Fast forward to 2025, and things look dramatically different.

In Bahrain, Verstappen finished sixth. The car was unpredictable. Pit stops were sloppy. Strategy fell apart. The team looked—dare we say—lost.

Verstappen’s Manager vs. Red Bull Brass

The most explosive development hasn’t been on the track—it’s been inside the garage. According to multiple reports including Sky Sports and The Guardian, tension between Max Verstappen’s manager (Raymond Vermeulen) and Red Bull’s senior leadership is threatening to boil over.

At the heart of the issue is trust—or lack thereof.

Verstappen’s camp is reportedly unhappy with the team’s current direction, particularly with how internal conflicts are being handled. Helmut Marko’s potential exit only adds fuel to the fire, with sources suggesting Max may consider his future if Marko is pushed out.

Helmut Marko: Kingmaker on the Brink

Helmut Marko has long been a controversial but powerful figure at Red Bull. He discovered Verstappen, shaped the junior team pipeline, and helped build the empire. But power struggles within the organization—especially with CEO Oliver Mintzlaff—have placed Marko in a precarious position.

If Marko leaves, it’s not unthinkable that Verstappen could trigger an exit clause tied to changes in management. F1 contracts are layered and complex, but where there’s smoke, there’s often fire.

Christian Horner in the Crossfire

Team Principal Christian Horner is no stranger to high-pressure situations, but this might be his toughest test yet. Horner is trying to hold the pieces together while navigating fractured relationships, political in-fighting, and a car that isn’t delivering.

While Horner still has support within Red Bull, even he can’t ignore the seismic shift in team dynamics. Losing Max Verstappen would be catastrophic—not just in terms of performance, but brand image and team morale.

The Car Isn't Helping

Let’s not forget the RB21’s performance—or lack thereof. In 2025, it’s struggled with tire degradation, inconsistent balance, and top-end speed on power circuits. Verstappen’s feedback post-Bahrain was blunt: “It’s not where we need to be.”

The engineers are scrambling to find a fix, but the clock is ticking—and other teams, especially McLaren, have already seized the momentum.

What Happens If Verstappen Walks?

If Max activates a break clause and leaves, it would trigger the biggest driver market shock since Hamilton’s move to Mercedes in 2013. Where would he go?

• Mercedes: A possible landing spot if they can offer a competitive package.
• Ferrari: Less likely, given their current instability and driver commitments.
• A sabbatical or shock retirement? Highly unlikely, but with Verstappen, nothing is off the table.

Red Bull’s Empire Cracking

The warning signs are everywhere: inner turmoil, falling performance, and a superstar driver openly frustrated. It’s a classic case of a dominant dynasty becoming complacent and vulnerable.

Unless Red Bull can course correct—and fast—they risk losing everything they’ve built.

Final Thoughts: Red Bull’s Next Moves

If they want to keep Verstappen and salvage 2025, Red Bull needs to:

• Reassert technical leadership and fix the car.
• Resolve internal power struggles—especially around Marko.
• Restore faith between Verstappen and the team’s top brass.

Anything less, and the cracks will widen into a collapse.

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