Red Bull’s Route Back To Relevance

Red Bull Racing’s dominance has been shaken in 2025. A team once synonymous with supremacy under Christian Horner’s stewardship has instead spent much of the year playing catch-up to McLaren.

Yet with major leadership changes and Max Verstappen’s defiance at Monza, signs remain that Red Bull are not prepared to fade quietly into the background – as explained by our friends at FIRST.com, the only choice for anyone wondering where to bet on F1 in the UK.

Christian Horner’s departure in July marked the end of an era. After nearly 20 years at the helm, during which Red Bull collected six Constructors’ Championships, eight Drivers’ titles and 124 race wins, Horner was dismissed from his dual role as CEO and team principal in July.

The split reflected both on-track struggles and internal tensions. In his place, Laurent Mekies, previously team principal of the sister Racing Bulls outfit, was promoted to lead the team. The move signalled a decisive attempt by Red Bull GmbH to steady the ship and re-establish competitiveness against McLaren.

Verstappen’s future inevitably became the subject of speculation. With Mercedes yet to fully recover from their own decline, whispers of a blockbuster move surfaced.

Verstappen, however, poured cold water on the rumours. Speaking in July, he said, “No, it doesn’t really matter for my decision in the future … what truly counts is improving the car and making it as fast as possible.” For Red Bull, the Dutchman’s commitment offers critical stability at a time of upheaval.

Verstappen’s Record-Breaking Pole and Dominant Win at Monza

Words alone weren’t enough. Red Bull needed a reminder of their capacity for brilliance and Verstappen delivered it in style at the Italian Grand Prix. At Monza, he set a record pole lap of 1:18.792, edging Lando Norris by just 0.077 seconds. The following day, Verstappen controlled the race from the front, finishing nearly 20 seconds ahead of Norris, with Oscar Piastri in third.

It was his first win since May and his third of the season — a performance that silenced doubts about Red Bull’s ability to deliver when the car was dialled in. “We have taken another step forward,” Verstappen said afterwards. “The car felt better this weekend and we need to build on that.”

The challenge for Red Bull is that McLaren have been far more consistent. Norris and Piastri have shared the bulk of victories and podiums in 2025. Verstappen’s flashes of peak form have been punctuated by reliability issues and races where the Red Bull car could not match the balance or pace of its orange rivals.

McLaren’s edge in strategy and execution has compounded the gap. For Red Bull, Monza was proof they still have the speed on their best days, but also a reminder of how rare those days have become.

The route back to relevance rests on several pillars. Mekies must instil operational stability after Horner’s departure, avoiding the kind of leadership vacuum that can splinter a top team.

Verstappen’s loyalty provides a foundation, but he needs a car that can consistently compete with McLaren’s package. Upgrades to aerodynamics and reliability will be essential. So too will be sharper race management, where McLaren have often stolen a march in 2025.

There is no denying Red Bull’s aura has been dented this season. Yet Monza showed the fight is still there.

If Verstappen and his new-look team can build momentum through the autumn, Red Bull may yet transform 2025 from a season of frustration into one that restores their status at the sharp end of the grid.

McLaren may hold the advantage, but as Monza proved, Red Bull’s route back to relevance is already under construction