The Downfall Of Red Bull: Problems Within The Powerhouse’s Camp
Red Bull Racing have dominated for years, but has the time finally come for their deterioration? Here’s a few reasons why this could be true.
Oracle Red Bull Racing have dominated for years in motorsport, claiming six Formula One Constructors’ Championships since their establishment.
Arguably the greatest of all time in an F1 car, Max Verstappen is the star-man for the Austrian wonder team.
Max has consecutively won the Drivers’ Championship in 2022 and 2023 and helped Red Bull to top their standings too.
Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner leads the reigning champions from the pit-wall alongside Chief Technology Officer Adrian Newey, who has played a huge part in the success of Horner’s team.
Recent news in the media coming out of the Red Bull camp has led to many questions raised from fans. Many people pondering if they can continue their successes.
Christian Horner vs Verstappen Senior: The first disruption in the camp
Tensions began on the 5th February this year when a report was made stating a Red Bull employee had made serious allegations of “inappropriate, controlling behaviour” by Christian Horner to a parent company named Red Bull GmbH who went on to launch a private investigation.
This acted as a distraction for Red Bull, as Horner claimed.
Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff made his feelings clear when questioned on the subject saying Red Bull must show “transparency” over the investigation. This also came with criticism from soon partners, Ford Motor Company, over the privacy of the situation.
The 28th February marked one of the most important dates, as it was when Christian Horner was cleared of all the charges. However, WhatsApp messages and pictures were released from an anonymous source the following day.
“I Won’t Comment On Anonymous Speculation, But To Reiterate, I Have Always Denied The Allegations — I Respected The Integrity Of The Independent Investigation And Fully Cooperated With It Every Step Of The Way.”
Christian Horner, Red Bull Team Principal & CEO
Jos Verstappen stated that the team are in danger of being torn apart if the CEO remains in his role. Comments from Max’s father included his opinion that Horner is playing the victim when he is causing the problems.
Tensions furthered following the Austrian Grand Prix, four months after these frustrations with one another started.
Jos Verstappen pulled out of a Legend’s Parade held as part of the build up to Red Bull’s home race. This was due to the fact that the team were not going to cover him on their channel.
Reports came from a European tabloid claiming Horner questioned Verstappen’s legend status when hearing of his presence in the parade and that Max’s father’s previous words weren’t going to help him open any doors.
Verstappen shared his thoughts on the speculation that it was Christian Horner who stopped his coverage.
“I Find It Very Disappointing. This Is Absolute Kindergarten, I’m Fed Up With Him.”
Jos Verstappen, Former-F1 Driver & Father of Max Verstappen
Red Bull Racing’s number one, Max Verstappen, is unhappy with these ongoing debates and feels it is affecting his performances.
Although contracted to the team until 2028, it is suspected that Max may transfer elsewhere, likely to be Mercedes, in 2026 when the new Formula One regulations come into place. Those higher-up in the sport have stated there is a small chance he may leave before 2025’s opener.
Sergio Pérez extends his time in the Red Bull paddock
Confirmation came of Sergio Pérez’s contract extension in the build-up to the Canadian GP seeing the Mexican stay until 2026.
“Continuity And Stability Are Important For The Team And Both Checo (Sergio Pérez) And Max Are A Successful And Robust Partnership, Securing Our First Ever One-Two Finish For The Team In The Championship Last Year.”
Christian Horner, Red Bull Team Principal & CEO
However, this decision may play a huge factor in the potential downfall of the Red Bull Racing team as it is evident that Sergio Pérez’s recent performances are not the standard that the team desires and needs from one of their drivers.
Since this announcement, four Grand Prix’s have come and gone which have seen the 34-year old fail to finish in Canada, take the eighth spot in Spain where his teammate triumphed in first place, finish seventh in the controversial Austrian GP and end at the bottom of the pack in 17th in England last weekend.
This means he has collected 10 points in the last four races since his contract extension. Pérez now sits in sixth place in the Drivers’ Championship standings, being 137 points behind his teammate.
Following on from the supposed idea that Max is to leave if debates within the camp continue, this would leave Red Bull without their top driver and with Sergio Pérez, who is hugely underperforming in the RB19.
Many fans have claimed Pérez is more suited to drive for a team in the midfield.
“Perez Is Far More Able To Shine In The Midfield Than He Is Out In The Front.”
Richard Ready, Host of the Missed Apex Podcast
The Red Bull Motorsport Adviser, Helmut Marko, confirmed the Mexican driver has performance clauses in his contract. These are likely to not be be met by Pérez on his current form. Therefore, both seats may be available if things continue the way they are for Christian Horner’s team.
An issue with Pérez potentially losing his seat is the worry for the team on who will replace him. It has been shown over the years that Checo is satisfied with his number two position. Although Horner wants the Mexican to be up at the top with Max, he does not want competition between the pair.
Many of the top drivers available for this spot are unlikely to want to accept second best, which could lead to greater tension within the team.
Red Bull Racing will see one man leave in December in the prized possession of Adrian Newey.
Chief Technology Officer Adrian Newey to leave Red Bull after 19 years
After 19 years of service, Adrian Newey confirmed the departure from his role being a major disruption to the workings of the team. The Englishman has won six Constructors’ Championship titles as Chief Technology Officer at Red Bull.
Winning 13 Drivers’ Championships and 12 Constructors’ Championships, the 65-year old has certainly cemented his name in history. Newey is the most successful Formula One engineer of all time.
It remains unknown the destination of his future, with Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin all favourites to employ Adrian Newey from next season.
All eyes are on Ferrari with the big move of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton taking the seat of Carlos Sainz. Alongside a young and promising Charles Leclerc, Ferrari will be desperate to go back to their glory days and they undeniably look like a team which could take back the top spot. With the prospect of the drivers ahead of 2025, this may turn out to be his chosen destination.
Newey has spoke about his regret in not having a stint in Maranello and his desire to work with Lewis, but negotiations between himself and Fred Vasseur seem to have come to a close.
McLaren have recently come into the mix again with some wonderful performances from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The engineer has had previous successes with the team and so may want to bring honour back to the name.
However, reports seem to indicate that Aston Martin will be lucky enough to have Newey in their garage. Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll has promised he wants his team to be in and around the front of the pack and the poor performances need to be rectified.
His high calibre in the garage and the experience and knowledge he offers now being lost is a huge blow. Just this move alone may push the team down the grid if they cannot keep up with mechanical upgrades elsewhere.
“I think Adrian is the most successful designer of all time, so in addition to the technicality that he brings to a racing team, people want to work for people like Adrian Newey.”
Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
