Verstappen Sees Red Bull Rebound 'Finally Coming Together'

Red Bull's Max Verstappen believes the RB21 is "a bit more together" as the team's performance improves towards the end of the 2025 F1 season. After a challenging start with only two wins in 15 races, recent updates have seen Verstappen secure back-to-back victories in Italy and Azerbaijan, along with a P2 finish in Singapore, signaling a strong return to the front. He attributes this resurgence to a better-balanced car, reducing dramatic oversteer and understeer.

Why it matters:

After a dominant run, Red Bull and Verstappen faced an uncharacteristic struggle early in the 2025 season, ceding ground to rivals, particularly McLaren. This late-season upturn is crucial not only for their slim championship hopes but also for momentum heading into 2026 and re-establishing their top-tier status. A competitive car is vital for Verstappen to close the significant gap in the drivers' standings and to challenge for a fifth consecutive world title.

The Details:

• Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, has had a difficult 2025 season, winning only two out of the first 15 races.
• Recent updates to the RB21 chassis have significantly improved the car's performance, leading to a late-season resurgence.
• Verstappen secured consecutive victories at the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix.
• He also achieved a second-place finish at the Singapore Grand Prix, marking a consistent return to podium contention.
• Verstappen explained the improvement: "The car is just a bit more balanced now. It doesn’t oversteer dramatically or understeer dramatically."
• He emphasizes the continuous fine-tuning required, stating, "Every weekend, you’re fine-tuning things because it’s never perfect. Luckily, lately, the car, it’s been a bit more together."

The Big Picture:

Verstappen's two recent wins have ignited paddock discussions about his championship chances, despite a substantial points deficit. Currently, Oscar Piastri leads the drivers' championship with 336 points, followed by his McLaren teammate Lando Norris with 314 points. Verstappen sits in third place with 273 points, needing to overcome a 63-point gap to Piastri to secure his fifth consecutive world title.

What's Next:

While the championship deficit remains steep, the improved performance of the RB21 offers a glimmer of hope for Verstappen and Red Bull. Maintaining this newfound balance and performance will be critical in the remaining races. If they can continue to challenge McLaren, it will set up an intriguing conclusion to the 2025 season and provide a strong foundation for their 2026 development.

• Verstappen is realistic about the championship, focusing on the car's capability: "It’s not about believing in the championship or not—you just need to be realistic."
• He adds, "We’ve had some good results lately, and I know when the car is capable of being quick and fighting for top places, I can be there. It’s as simple as that."