Red Bull is enduring one of its toughest F1 season starts, currently fourth in the constructors' standings. This marks a sharp departure from their dominant era, signaling a clear end to their recent supremacy.
Why it matters
The Milton Keynes squad is on track for its lowest team finish since 2015. While Max Verstappen continues to deliver exceptional performances, the team's overall consistency has plummeted, especially concerning their second car.
The big picture
A damning statistic illustrates Red Bull's alarming decline:
- After 14 races, Red Bull has managed to get both cars into the points on only three occasions.
- This contrasts sharply with 10 double-points finishes at the same stage last year.
The details
The core of Red Bull's struggle lies in the significant performance gap between its two drivers:
- Max Verstappen has scored points in 13 of 14 Grands Prix this season, often outperforming the car.
- Yuki Tsunoda has only finished in the top ten three times (Bahrain, Miami, Imola).
- In the sole race Verstappen failed to score (Austrian Grand Prix), Tsunoda also finished outside the top 10, highlighting the team's vulnerability.
By the numbers
Red Bull's lack of consistency in double-points finishes compared to rivals:
- McLaren: 13
- Ferrari: 11
- Mercedes: 7
- Williams: 5
- Red Bull: 3
- Aston Martin & Haas: 2
- Stake & Racing Bulls: 1
This places Red Bull not only behind championship leaders but also midfield teams, revealing a painful shift from front-runner to struggling contender.
What's next
Red Bull faces a significant challenge to address the performance disparity and improve the RB21's consistency across both cars. Regaining dominance hinges on closing this gap and ensuring both drivers regularly contribute to points.