Just two years after Max Verstappen secured victory for Red Bull at the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, the reigning champion finished ninth at the same race in 2025, signaling a significant downturn for the Austrian team. In stark contrast, McLaren has secured consecutive 1-2 finishes in the last two editions of this event, emphasizing its rise as a leading force in Formula 1 and outlining a growing gap between the two teams.
Red Bull’s Decline and McLaren’s Rapid Ascent in the F1 Hierarchy
Verstappen and Red Bull had been nearly unbeatable in 2023, with the Dutch driver winning 19 of 22 races that season and carrying strong momentum into 2024. However, as the 2025 season progressed, McLaren’s mid-2023 upgrades propelled the British team from sporadic podium appearances to consistent front-runners. This progress has culminated in McLaren achieving 1-2 finishes in half of the races contested so far in 2025, while Red Bull’s dominance has notably faded.
When comparing race pace data, Red Bull’s relative speed to McLaren has deteriorated sharply over three seasons. The team’s advantage at Hungary changed from being over half a second faster in 2023 to more than one second slower in 2025, resulting in an overall swing of nearly 1.8 seconds in race pace.
“Red Bull’s race pace compared to McLaren at Hungary through the years. 2023: 0.528s, FASTER 2024: 0.244s, SLOWER 2025: 1.012s SLOWER. That’s a 1.784s swing in race pace since 2023. (Data via @f1bythenumbers1)”
This transition represents a significant reversal of fortune for the Milton Keynes-based outfit, which has managed only two victories this season despite Max Verstappen’s efforts, while McLaren has dominated by winning 11 of the 14 races held to date.
Max Verstappen Praises McLaren’s Remarkable Progress Amid Title Battle
Max Verstappen has acknowledged McLaren’s exceptional performance in 2025, noting the challenges faced by Red Bull and the strength of the British team, which currently has two drivers vying for the championship. During media discussions, Verstappen expressed a measured approach to his season outlook while commending McLaren’s rapid development.
“I just stay neutral. So I don’t overly become optimistic or pessimistic or whatever. I was like, we’ll see. I mean, I hope of course that we get to win some races here and there, and I mean we still did that, we still won two races. But, it is tough, but at the other end also we need to acknowledge that McLaren has done a fantastic job. You know, from last year to this year also and from our side it’s been a bit difficult.”
Heading into the 2025 summer break, Verstappen trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 97 points, with just 10 Grand Prix weekends remaining, underscoring the uphill battle for the five-time world champion in the ongoing season.
Implications of McLaren’s Dominance for the 2025 Championship Fight
The current trajectory of McLaren‘s performance represents one of the most remarkable progressions in recent F1 history, shaking up long-held assumptions of Red Bull’s supremacy. As Verstappen and the Milton Keynes team strive to regain lost ground, the intensity of the Max Verstappen Red Bull McLaren rivalry has reached new heights this season. With the championship still unresolved, the outcome of the remaining races will be crucial in determining if Red Bull can respond to McLaren’s surge or if the British squad will solidify its position at the summit of Formula 1.
