Red Bull admit Max Verstappen had a ‘dip’ in 2025 and it could cost him the world championship

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Max Verstappen’s hopes of drawing himself back into the 2025 Formula 1 title fight were dealt a major boost on Saturday at the United States Grand Prix.

Both McLaren drivers fell victim to a racing incident at turn one, which saw four drivers make contact with each other at the front of the pack. Following a short safety car period, Verstappen faced little pressure for the remainder of the sprint and did exactly what he needed to do for the drivers’ championship.

Red Bull couldn’t have asked for a better gift to start their weekend, and it should help alleviate any pressure they would have faced to perform during the United States Grand Prix. Perhaps they can afford to be a little more aggressive with their strategy and approach.

Martin Brundle highlighted Verstappen’s hypocrisy after a close call with Mercedes’ George Russell saw them both go off the track. McLaren have made a big Red Bull realisation and are starting to see how their hopes of a title double could be under serious threat.

READ MORE: Max Verstappen wins US Grand Prix Sprint race after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri crash

Red Bull admit Max Verstappen suffered pre-summer break ‘dip’ after car woes

Verstappen’s mentality has been praised as he takes a very relaxed approach to trying to claim a fifth consecutive triumph from a long way behind. Although every event is almost a must-win for him, the pressure doesn’t appear to be getting to him.

One advantage the Dutchman does have over his McLaren rivals is that he is well-trained in such intense fights over the last few seasons, while they haven’t faced such an ordeal in their Formula 1 careers.

His comeback so far has been remarkable to watch, and although there’s a long way to go, everyone recognises the threat he now poses. Before the summer break, he looked down and out of the fight, but a Red Bull insider has revealed why he suffered such a ‘dip’.

“He’s driving at a level where he doesn’t really seem to be bothered by anything. I think he has got a car that he can race with again,” said Lawrence Barretto on F1TV’s United States Grand Prix qualifying pre-show.

“I was talking to someone at the team, and they were maybe like he had a bit of a dip before the summer break because the car wasn’t really there.

“He’s come back, he has got a car that actually he knows he can get his teeth into. The GT racing is parked for now, and he can focus on Formula 1. I think he sniffs a real challenge.”

READ MORE: How Max Verstappen privately feels about his 2025 F1 championship chances ahead of the United States GP

Why Max Verstappen’s 2025 F1 comeback could be the greatest of all time

By gaining eight points on each McLaren driver in the Austin sprint, Verstappen is now just 55 points behind Oscar Piastri, and 33 adrift of Lando Norris.

A win during Sunday’s race would see him draw within two race victories of top spot. With five races to go, that’s a far more ideal position than he would have expected to be in.

Verstappen is crucial to Red Bull’s marketing, and finding a way to win the championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix would be special in many ways. It would be one of the greatest comebacks of all time.

From 97 points behind after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the deficit has nearly halved, and the reigning champion has all of the momentum.

It doesn’t just bode well for the conclusion to 2025, but also for Red Bull heading into the 2026 F1 regulations under new leadership.