As the engines roar and the excitement builds, the Formula 1 world has been witnessing an era of unprecedented dominance by Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. Since clinching his first world championship in 2021 in a nail-biting season finale in Abu Dhabi against rival Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen has been on a relentless rise to the top.
His three consecutive titles have been nothing short of emphatic statements of superiority. The 2023 season marked his most dominant yet, with 19 wins out of 22 races. However, the winds of change are brewing in the world of Formula 1, heralded by Guenther Steiner, the former Haas team boss.
A dramatic turning point
The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked a pivotal moment in Formula One history, ushering in an era of dominance for Red Bull Racing, led by star driver Max Verstappen. This period of strategic brilliance and engineering excellence is now approaching a significant milestone with the imminent departure of Adrian Newey, the mastermind behind Red Bull’s design prowess, scheduled for 2025.
The climax of the 2021 season at the Yas Marina Circuit was nothing short of cinematic. Max Verstappen snatched his first world championship title from Lewis Hamilton in a nail-biting finish, a victory that not only challenged the status quo but set the stage for the burgeoning Red Bull era.
Building on momentum
The 2022 season saw Red Bull build on their momentum, with Verstappen clinching the title four races from the end of the season. The year was less about individual race drama and more about consistent performance, reliability and incremental improvements that outpaced the competition.
Verstappen’s dominance was complemented by a strong performance from teammate Sergio Perez, who provided the team with crucial points to secure Red Bull’s position at the top of the Constructors’ Championship.
The zenith of dominance: 2023 season
By 2023, Red Bull’s dominance was undisputed. Verstappen won an astonishing 19 of 22 races, a record that not only highlighted his skill and precision, but also underlined the team’s technical superiority. Every Grand Prix weekend seemed to confirm this reality; Red Bull had built not just a fast car, but a reliable and adaptable machine that could thrive on a wide variety of tracks and conditions.
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The architect behind the success: Adrian Newey
Central to Red Bull’s success was Adrian Newey, a name synonymous with innovative Formula One car design.
Under Newey’s leadership, Red Bull not only challenged their rivals, but often outperformed them through superior strategy and design. His approach to integrating power unit and chassis design, especially after Red Bull took over Honda’s engine operations, was nothing short of revolutionary, ensuring Verstappen had the best tools at his disposal.
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Steiner paints a bleak situation
In an exclusive interview with Sky, Steiner shared his insights, suggesting that the reign of Red Bull and Verstappen might be drawing to a close.
“All dominance comes to an end at some point,” Steiner stated, indicating that this shift could come “by 2026 at the latest.” This potential end aligns with a significant transition in Formula 1 regulations and Red Bull’s ambitious move to compete with its own engine – a first for the team.
New Challenges on the Horizon
The departure of Adrian Newey, the design maestro behind Red Bull’s winning machines, marks a pivotal moment for the team. Newey, who announced his exit from the Milton Keynes-based team, has left a void that many are watching closely.
Steiner expressed his surprise at Newey’s decision, noting, “I find it strange that he can start somewhere else next year.” While Red Bull remains strong in the short term, Steiner is aware of the long-term implications of losing such a pivotal figure.
“The race engineers always get the best performance out of this very good car. They don’t need Adrian for that. He’s there to plan the future—not to manage what’s happening on the track at the moment,” Steiner stated.
Despite the immediate stability, Steiner is certain that Newey’s absence will become increasingly significant, particularly as the 2026 season approaches with its new regulations. This change, he is convinced, will be the juncture at which Red Bull’s supremacy is finally challenged.
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Challenges and opportunities ahead
The timing of Newey’s departure coincides with another critical juncture for Formula One: the introduction of new regulations aimed at levelling the playing field. Red Bull, which must now develop its car without Newey’s direct input, faces the dual challenge of adapting to these regulations and reconfiguring its design team dynamics.
This period of transition provides an opportunity for other teams to close the gap. Teams such as McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes are all poised to capitalise on any missteps by Red Bull as they navigate through these changes.
F1’s competitive landscape is notoriously unforgiving, and even small slips can lead to significant shifts in the team hierarchy. Just look at Mercedes these last few years.
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A Shifting Competitive Landscape
Steiner’s predictions are not without immediate evidence. The recent victories by Lando Norris in Miami and Carlos Sainz in Melbourne demonstrate that other teams are closing the gap on Red Bull’s dominance. These developments prove that the competitive landscape in Formula 1 is more dynamic than it appears, with the potential for more intense rivalries and unexpected victories as teams like McLaren and Ferrari enhance their cars.
He says, “That’s why I haven’t given up hope that there could be a few more fights this year.” He believes that while Red Bull might continue to lead, its vulnerabilities could be exposed as early as 2024, making the next few seasons potentially some of the most thrilling.
As Formula 1 fans around the world tune in, one thing currently seems clear: we are witnessing the twilight of one of the sport’s most dominant eras. Will Verstappen continue to reign supreme, or will the forthcoming changes usher in a new era of competitiveness? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the race for supremacy in Formula 1 is far from over.
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
