Max Verstappen has openly acknowledged doubts about Red Bull’s ability to recover during the 2025 Formula 1 season. After a difficult start largely dominated by McLaren, Verstappen admitted his championship hopes seemed distant just weeks ago, but a recent pair of victories have reignited belief in a potential comeback.
Red Bull’s success at the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix has helped Verstappen close the gap in the standings to Oscar Piastri by 69 points, with seven races left to run. These results follow crucial advancements in understanding the RB21 car, which had previously been difficult to drive but is now showing signs of improved performance and consistency.
Progress with the RB21 Puts Red Bull Back in Contention
Both Verstappen and teammate Yuki Tsunoda have recently made significant strides in adapting to the RB21, a car that proved challenging earlier in the season. This improvement in handling and set-up coincides with the arrival of Laurent Mekies as Red Bull’s new team principal, whose engineering expertise has helped the team focus their efforts more efficiently.
We don’t need to try so many things with the car anymore. Not having to make those radical changes during a race weekend makes it much more enjoyable,
Verstappen said.
When asked if he is now better able to find the RB21’s ideal performance window, Verstappen replied,
Yes. And that’s down to all the things we’ve learned about this car.
This enhanced understanding has contributed directly to Red Bull’s recent wins, making those successes feel especially rewarding.
Team Spirit and Confidence Fuel Red Bull’s Revival
Verstappen highlighted the emotional highs and lows the team has suffered, explaining that their shared history of victories has made the current tough period more difficult. Yet, emerging from that slump has given new meaning to their recent achievements.
We’ve experienced a lot of incredible moments together over the past years. So when you go through a tough period, of course, that’s not pleasant for anyone inside the team,
the Dutchman said, continuing,
“When you see that things are going well again, that makes those wins extra special, especially because of how we got through the bad moments together. The atmosphere is very good now, and that is also important.”
He added,
It gives people a bit more confidence, and sometimes that confidence is really important. They see some light at the end of the tunnel again and know that what they’re working on is actually okay.
Looking Ahead: Can Red Bull Sustain Momentum for a Strong Finish?
Despite the renewed optimism, four-time world champion Verstappen remains cautiously aware of the challenges still ahead in the 2025 campaign. The team’s ability to maintain this momentum will be crucial as they aim to close the remaining points gap on Piastri and McLaren.
If Red Bull continues to capitalize on their improved understanding of the RB21 and strengthens team confidence, a late-season resurgence could shift the championship battle dramatically. Verstappen’s determination and the team’s engineering adjustments suggest that hope for a Red Bull turnaround is alive as the final rounds approach.
