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Max Verstappen’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive Formula 1 title is not going as he would have hoped in 2025 so far.
Sadly, his Red Bull car has not been up to the task of fighting McLaren, who have produced far superior development with their machine.
The result is a Verstappen who has won just twice in 10 attempts, and not once has he been able to dominate from the front.
It leaves him 43 points behind Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ championship, but the deficit already looks unassailable.
Verstappen has set off ‘alarm bells’ at Red Bull and the team fears that this year’s Austrian Grand Prix could be his last with them before joining Mercedes.
That’s a possibility if Verstappen listens to what Andy Cowell has said about Adrian Newey poaching talent from his old team for the future. It could result in a mini brain drain.
Red Bull are ‘preparing’ for nightmare Max Verstappen scenario with Arvid Lindblad practice session
Verstappen lashed out at the Spanish Grand Prix, hitting the side of Mercedes’ George Russell and receiving three penalty points from the FIA for doing so.
As a result, he now sits on 11 for the 12-month period, and one more point would see him receive a one-race ban. The next two points come off his record after the following race in Spielberg, but he will remain on nine until the end of October at the very least.
As a precaution, Red Bull have to prepare a driver to fill in for him, handing the 17-year-old Formula 2 star Arvid Lindblad a practice session at the British Grand Prix in a few weeks. Helmut Marko admitted to Kleine Zeitung that it’s part of their Verstappen plan.
“No, we’re preparing in case something really happens to Max Verstappen regarding his penalty points,” he said. “We currently have two reserve drivers: Lindblad and Ayumu Iwasa, whose Formula 1 schedules clash with his appearances in Japan.
“We even had a deal with another team for some races; at one point, a reserve driver was even scheduled for three teams. It’s not that easy to find someone who’s in top shape. And that’s why Lindblad is in the car now.”
How Max Verstappen now holds one advantage over McLaren’s drivers during the 2025 Formula 1 season
At one stage this season, Red Bull looked like they had the fourth-fastest car (China, Bahrain) and the rest of the season looked as though it might be quite bleak.
However, they introduced some upgrades in Spain, which appeared to give them a little more life. There’s not quite enough reason to give up on the title yet.
Verstappen holds one advantage over McLaren and appears to be better suited to the medium tyres in race trim, which could be a vital factor for the rest of the season.
That’s because the yellow-striped sidewalls are the main tyre at most events, and being kinder to them should allow the Dutchman to push for longer.
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