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Red Bull Makes Bold Admission About Max Verstappen Championship Fight

Red Bull Makes Bold Admission About Max Verstappen Championship Fight

Newsweek09-07-2025
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko has admitted that Max Verstappen is out of the 2025 championship race. The 81-year-old also acknowledged discussions between the four-time world champion and the Mercedes F1 team.
The 2025 season is unlike any year Verstappen has experienced in the current ground effect era, which began in 2022. Red Bull's F1 cars have been dominant in the last three years, helping the Dutch driver secure four championship titles.
However, McLaren began its charge last year, winning the constructors' championship, and now, both its drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, are battling for their maiden F1 titles. Verstappen, meanwhile, has been struggling with the RB21 F1 car. Though he secured pole position for the British Grand Prix last weekend, he was heard complaining on the team radio about how the car wasn't turning the way it should.
Verstappen is currently third in the drivers' standings with 165 points, 61 points behind Norris in second, and 69 points behind championship leader Piastri. Marko acknowledged that Verstappen's championship fight was over. Speaking to OE24, he was asked if the situation could turn around at Verstappen's home race in August. Marko said:
Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 05, 2025...
Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 05, 2025 in Northampton, England. More"Yes, but the World Championship is still over. It's now just between Norris and Piastri, although Norris has made an impressive comeback with two sensational races."
When asked why the rumors of talks between Verstappen and Mercedes weren't fading away, Marko added:
"He could be in talks. But there are no current developments."
Considering Verstappen is still third in the championship, the exit clause in his contract hasn't been activated yet. When Marko was asked if that was the reason why he wasn't worried, he said:
"That's exactly right."
The Red Bull advisor believes that conditions at the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix at Spa would favor the RB21. He said:
"It's possible – if the updates we still have in the pipeline take effect. Temperatures and cornering characteristics would also favor us."
Marko's comments indicate Red Bull has been struggling to keep up its pace, and with no hope of Verstappen's fifth title, the future looks dull. Red Bull's announcement of parting ways with CEO and team principal Christian Horner rocked the F1 world today.
Racing Bulls' team principal Laurent Mekies will take over the role of CEO at Red Bull. Addressing his move, Mekies said:
"The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team with Peter. It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people. The spirit of the whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the beginning. Alan is the perfect man to take over now and continue our path. He knows the team inside out and has always been an important pillar of our early successes."
Racing Bulls Sporting Director Alan Permane will replace Mekies as team principal.
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