Racing Bulls have told Red Bull whether they’re willing to help Max Verstappen at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

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Max Verstappen needs to outscore Lando Norris by 12 points to secure the 2025 F1 world title, raising the question of whether Racing Bulls will aid the Dutchman during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Red Bull have held a unique position in Formula 1 since the purchasing and rebranding of the Minardi outfit in 2006.

They’re the only team on the grid to have a ‘sister’ team, which is usually used to develop Red Bull junior team talent before they’re ready for a gig at the frontrunning team.

Concerns over Red Bull’s ownership of Racing Bulls have emerged in the past, and a ruling in 2010 stated that the Austrian constructor were no longer able to design the car for the Faenza-based team.

However, with Max Verstappen essentially fighting the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on his own, it begs the question of whether he would receive any help from the affiliated team.

• READ MORE: Red Bull confirm Max Verstappen’s 2026 teammate as Racing Bulls decide their next F1 driver line-up

Three contenders. One crown. Who takes it?

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Peter Bayer has rejected the idea of Racing Bulls helping Max Verstappen during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer was posed the question during an interview with Sky Sports Germany at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The executive firmly shot down the idea, citing the Italian team’s constructors’ championship hopes as the main reason.

He said, via Sport, “Not at all. Quite honestly, we have our own problems. Aston Martin is twelve points behind us.”

After being provoked by Ralf Schumacher to think again, Bayer firmly stood by his decision, responding with, “Absolutely not.”

The Austrian then referred to the reaction that Nicolas Latifi received for his role in the title-deciding race, adding, “I think about Latifi. It’s always a topic, even years later. We are all athletes, competitors, racers.

“Everyone wants the best for themselves and their team. Of course, we are happy for Max and are keeping our fingers crossed for him.

“But we will definitely not be collaborating or doing anything in that direction.”

• READ MORE: F1 team chief admitted he was ‘powerless’ to stop Red Bull replacing Yuki Tsunoda with his driver

Racing Bulls are focused on securing sixth place in the constructors’ championship

As Bayer alluded to in his comments, Racing Bulls are focused on making sure they stay ahead of Aston Martin at the conclusion of the season.

On that topic, the Austrian executive added, “For us, the only thing that matters is that we bring home this sixth place.

“This is enormously important from a sporting, financial, and motivational perspective. Everything else is irrelevant to us.”

The difference in the financial perspective is quite striking. Going off the 2024 figures for constructors’ championship prize money, the difference between sixth and seventh place in the standings is somewhere in the ballpark of £6m.

The incentive lies in the end-of-year balance sheets; the extra monetary value could be crucial in whether a team ends the year in the green or at a loss.