Jonathan Wheatley thinks Red Bull will be ‘kicking themselves’ despite Max Verstappen comeback, he’s right

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Red Bull could be set to produce one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Formula 1 history with just five races to go in 2025.

Despite being 104 points behind in the drivers’ championship charge, they refused to give up after the summer break and are now applying some intense pressure on McLaren. Anyone could have been forgiven for presuming the title fight was over, but as per usual, Max Verstappen had other ideas.

Ever since the start of the season, it has felt like Red Bull have not once had the fastest car on the grid. Even when races were being won early on, it was due to some incredible driving (think Suzuka). Now that the tide has turned, it looks as though the RB21 may be on level ground with the MCL39.

The paddock knows why Red Bull have progressed, and seem to believe that a change in ride height has helped them unlock a new level of speed. McLaren have an ace card to use, but it’s nothing that Verstappen hasn’t dealt with before. He will be prepared, no matter what is thrown at him.

READ MORE: Christijan Albers predicts ‘fireworks’ if Max Verstappen became F1 teammates with former karting rival

Jonathan Wheatley is right to suggest Red Bull will be ‘kicking themselves’ for not finding pace sooner

Red Bull have got their swagger back within the garage, and it looks as though they really believe in themselves once more. Before ex-boss Christian Horner was sacked in the summer, the mood around their camp was pretty heavy.

Laurent Mekies has arrived and done an incredible job transforming the team back into a contender in just a matter of months. Mekies wants Yuki Tsunoda to help Verstappen in his title efforts, and it could be a silent weapon that proves to be very useful.

Current Sauber boss and ex-Red Bull Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley has suggested that the team will be ‘kicking themselves’ for not having found this level of performance sooner. He’s right, too, as Verstappen could already be level or ahead of his rivals by now, applying real pressure.

“Red Bull is a class racing team,” he told GPBlog. “Max Verstappen is perhaps the best driver in the world.

” The fact that they’ve found some performance in the car, I think they’re probably kicking themselves that they didn’t find it sooner, but I’m not surprised that they’ve been able to do that.”

READ MORE: Red Bull have made a decision that’s turned ‘dejected’ Max Verstappen into a title contender

Why Formula 1 fans have warmed to Max Verstappen following title-winning boos

There was once a time when Verstappen’s domination of Formula 1 was too much for fans to behold, particularly as he racked up win after win in 2023.

It led to a lot of boos and a general lack of appreciation for the feats that he was achieving at the time, which have gone down in the history books.

Now that he’s been through a bit of a struggle, that mindset appears to have changed. Verstappen is popular everywhere again, and it might even hand him an extra boost in his title charge.

At the upcoming race in Mexico, the support for him should only grow, given that he spent four seasons alongside the country’s very own Sergio Perez as his teammate. It’s an opportunity he should capitalise on.