The F1 paddock already knows why Red Bull and Max Verstappen have made sudden ‘progress’ in 2025

Follow us on Google Discover

Max Verstappen now has a real shot at winning a fifth consecutive Formula 1 title with five races to go in the 2025 season.

Just a few weeks ago, the Dutchman was considered out of the running, before a sudden post-summer break resurgence caught just about everyone by surprise. He has managed to more than halve the deficit to drivers’ championship leader Oscar Piastri, and is applying a lot of pressure.

Verstappen has been boosted by some effective upgrades from Red Bull, and crucially, he now has the confidence in their car to go out and perform. They’re building some positive momentum heading into the 2026 F1 regulations, which is very encouraging for them.

Red Bull have turned Verstappen into a contender, despite him being a dejected figure after the Hungarian Grand Prix this year, where he scraped into the points. Verstappen is popular everywhere again, and the fans have a newfound respect for him. They appreciate his contribution to a three-way title fight.

READ MORE: Mercedes considering new tactic to try and sign Max Verstappen after George Russell’s new contract

Paddock ‘suggestions’ indicate Max Verstappen’s Red Bull resurgence is due to ride height

Ex-teammate Daniel Ricciardo called Verstappen ridiculous after watching his latest display in Austin. He knows better than most about just how devastating he can be when he’s in the mood to win.

Verstappen now knows he has a chance to claim a record-matching fifth consecutive title, but he’s still going to need a few favours for it to be possible. He can’t afford to have the McLaren drivers finish behind him at every event. Now that his car is in a better place, his job is easier, though.

According to the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com, McLaren were the first team to achieve lower ride heights by managing to move the wear of their skid blocks forward.

‘Suggestions’ within the paddock also indicate that recent ‘progress’ from Red Bull has helped them to make inroads on their Papaya rivals, who have excelled in this area for most of the season.

Sauber’s Inaki Rueda has explained why moving the wear to the front of the plate is beneficial to teams and their pursuit of performance.

“It’s difficult to get that wear to the front, because most of the downforce is generated at the rear. So you have to make sure you can still get all the downforce from the ground at the rear, but that the main contact points of the ground with the asphalt are at the front.”

READ MORE: Charles Leclerc seethes at Max Verstappen in unbroadcast radio message at United States Grand Prix

Why Max Verstappen suffered a ‘dip’ during the 2025 Formula 1 season

Looking back at the season, it’s easy to see a few opportunities where Verstappen could have done a little better.

One glaring event is the Spanish Grand Prix, when he lost at least 10 points with a rash manoeuvre on George Russell that saw him penalised.

He won’t regret his actions, but they might end up being the difference between him winning and losing the 2025 title.

Verstappen had a pre-summer break dip and his team have taken part of the blame for it, due to not giving him a particularly competitive car.

With five races to go, there’s plenty left to play for, and the Milton Keynes-based outfit might yet even finish second in the constructors’ standings.