Max Verstappen’s winning streak was snapped during Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix, where he finished second behind Mercedes driver George Russell. Despite the end of Verstappen’s run, the result highlighted Red Bull’s continuing resurgence and suggested their improved form is sustainable moving forward. The team’s mid-season turnaround has positioned them once again as a strong contender in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Red Bull’s Revival Amid Early-Season Challenges
After a tumultuous start to the year, marked by both off-track distractions and inconsistent race outcomes, Red Bull has steadily regained its competitive edge. Since the summer break, the team’s car, the RB21, has demonstrated consistent performance across a wider variety of circuits, keeping Verstappen firmly in podium contention at each race. The Singapore event extended Red Bull’s consecutive podium streak, even though Verstappen missed a potential pole position due to being delayed on a flying lap in qualifying by Lando Norris.
Leadership Shift Fosters Team Stability and Progress
A crucial factor behind Red Bull’s improvement has been internal management changes. The departure of long-standing team principal Christian Horner in July made way for Laurent Mekies to lead the team. Mekies has cultivated a calmer, more collaborative atmosphere within the Red Bull garage, which many see as pivotal to the renewed focus and performance. Despite modestly deflecting personal praise, Mekies has earned recognition for empowering the engineering group and helping solidify the team’s direction.
“It’s still zero, guys. It’s still zero,” he told reporters on Sunday, via ESPN. “The improvement in performance is very basically due to the work of everyone trying to analyze the limitations of the car, race after race.”
“And that work, again, with extremely strong and clear inputs from Max, that work is paying off, which is good news. Because as a group, it just confirms that we have the best people that we can dream of. And we will continue working, we are not stopping there. We will take it again race by race and try to see if there is more to come.”
— Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Team Principal
Competitors’ Success Contrasts with Red Bull’s Quiet Strength
While teams like McLaren, who secured their second consecutive Constructors’ Championship in Singapore, and Mercedes dominate headlines, Red Bull’s steady progress has flown somewhat under the radar. Verstappen displayed a blend of strategic patience and controlled pace, reflecting the team’s growing confidence after months of trials. Currently, Red Bull sits fourth in the Constructors’ Championship standings, trailing Ferrari by only eight points and still 35 points behind Mercedes.
Looking Ahead: Red Bull’s Role in the Championship Battle
Though the chance for a 2025 title appears slim for Red Bull, their resurgence cannot be overlooked. The team has reasserted itself as a formidable competitor heading into the final races, setting the stage for a more intense fight in the seasons to come. Red Bull’s ability to adapt, combined with strengths in car development and team cohesion, hints that their push for future supremacy in Formula 1 is far from over.
😮💨 Tough race, but a solid result @redbullracing 👊
Congrats to @McLarenF1 on winning the Constructors' Championship. pic.twitter.com/bFWFUXYkjx
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) October 5, 2025
