Dr. Helmut Marko now reveals that Red Bull have abandoned any further “major” upgrades to this year’s RB21 in a move that strikes an additional blow to Max Verstappen’s attempt on a record fifth consecutive drivers’ title.  The world champion has been hanging on in to the coat tails of McLaren and his win in Imola closed the gap on champion ship leader to just 22 points.

The following week as was expected, the RB21 once again didn’t like the big kerbs in Monaco, with Verstappen only managing a creditable P4. Spain was Red Bull’s big hope of another comeback, the first time since Imola that their big car upgrade would have the chance to show its worth.

Further, there were hopes the FIA’s new more stringent flexible bodywork tests would hamper the championship leaders, yet the McLaren’s looked dominant from Friday to the chequered flag on Sunday as Verstappen became embroiled with another George Russell skirmish.

 

 

 

Marko confirms no more “major” upgrades

Now 49 points behind Piastri, Verstappen admitted in Spain any hopes of winning this year’s drivers’ title are fading fast. And with the announcement now from Dr. Marko, McLaren look set fair to win both championships before the big rule changes coming for 2026.

“We’re working tirelessly on this and will continue to make small adjustments, but nothing major is planned,” Marko revealed in his Speedweek column. “We’ve had some major updates in the past, such as a new underbody and new side-pods. But now it’s more about the details.”

The news that Red Bull have no more big upgrades planned for the RB21 is yet another blow for Verstappen and his hopes of equaling Michael Schumacher’s record look to be lost. The problem Max has faced during this year’s defence of his title has been the inconsistency shown by the RB21. His one lap genius has seen him claim three of the nine Grand Prix pole’s available, while championship leader Oscar Piastri has just one more with four.

Yet its in the races where the RB21 has proven lacking, despite driving away from the McLaren’s in Imola, Max struggled to stay on their coat tails come the heat of Barcelona. Of Red Bull’s 144 points, Verstappen has collected 137 which proves the RB21 in the hands of Red Bull’s other drivers is one of the more difficult of the 2025 cars to drive.

Verstappen and Mercedes talk behind closed doors

 

 

 

Inconsistency of RB21

The temperamental nature of the RB21 has been evident, working less well in higher temperatures and struggling at circuits where low speed traction is vital. Meanwhile McLaren have produced a car that works well across the nine different venues and conditions experienced so far this season.

“To win the drivers’ championship, we need a car that’s competitive on all tracks, not just on specific circuits. That’s not enough for the world championship,” Marko notes. “Against the currently strong McLaren team, you only have a chance if everything goes perfectly. We have the perfect driver, but all the factors have to be right – the pit stops, the strategy, the car, and the tyre wear.”

Red Bull have often arrived at a track on Friday looking like they have the fourth best car this year, but their overnight efforts back at base in the simulator usually see them improve come Saturday’s qualifying and then the Grand Prix on Sunday. Yet even this is not proving enough in the face of the might of McLaren, who are delivering week in and out, whatever the circuit layout and however hot or cold are the ambient temperatures.

“You have to get the car into the right working window and the tyres to the right temperature,” said Red Bull advisor. “Maybe it’s just a small adjustment that needs to be made. We often start very poorly in practice on Friday and manage to improve the car by qualifying, sometimes making it capable of a podium finish or even a win. However, we lack the consistency that McLaren demonstrates.”

Red Bull’s Max Control: Verstappen ordered to behave or face ‘disaster’ ban

 

 

 

Come back a historical long shot

With the writing on the wall after the Spanish Grand Prix, its inevitable  that Red Bull racing will soon switch their design and development focus to solving the conundrum that is the 2026 F1 car specifications. Even so Marko states: “We’ll continue developing as long as there’s a chance in the world championship. After that, the focus will shift entirely to the 2026 project.”

In terms of comebacks, in 2022 Verstappen turned around a 46 points deficit to Charles Leclerc and went on to win the drivers’ title by more than 150 points. Yet the difference then was Ferrari got off to a flying start whilst Red Bull generally had the quicker car and two early weekends of misfortune for Max. Then the season was just three races old, of course now more than a third of this year’s competition is complete.

Red Bull also won the upgrade war in 2022, as Ferrari lost their way in the early European rounds while Mercedes were bouncing the filings from out of their drivers’ teeth. There are five races before this year’s summer shutdown in August and whilst there’s opportunity for Red Bull and Max in Canada and Austria where their cars have faired traditionally well, the overall outlook is bleak.

Come the summer break and all hope for Verstappen may be gone unless the team can get the RB21 into one kind of consistent performance vector. Hopes of a genuine battle for the world title from two drivers in different teams has whetted the appetite of the fans this year, although when it comes down to it – it seems like the McLaren intra team duel will be the one which decides the F1 2025 driver of the year.

 

 

 

Hamilton retirement: Media now clutching at straws

Much of the British Formula One media, including broadcaster Sky TV, have revealed their hands in the past days. Shrieking for a black flag and in the moment blaming Verstappen for his collision with Charles Leclerc and the initial contact with Russell, the Sky commentary booth at the Spanish Grand Prix was positively anti-Max Verstappen.

As it turned out the channel’s own F1 analysts, Anthony Davidson, demonstrated not long after that it was Leclerc who turned in on Verstappen whilst ‘trying to avoid the marbles’ as he explained in the cool down room.  Further, whilst George had made his dive bomb move, was ahead at the apex and remained on track, he failed to kepis Mercedes under control, forcing Verstappen to taker to the escape route in turn one.

No matter, the damage was done. The weekend summary from Barcelona was once again about what a ‘bully’ Max is and how he must be stopped. ‘Highly dangerous’ was another ridiculous comment about his 30mph shunt with Russell in turn five, particularly given these cars are designed to take up to 50g of lateral force and crash tested at over 200mph…. READ MORE