Max Verstappen’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster of turbulence, recovery and unexpected calm. Following an unstable start to the season, involving a driver swap, rumours of a transfer and the dramatic dismissal of Christian Horner, Red Bull’s star driver is back to his winning ways. Two consecutive victories in Monza and Baku have boosted his confidence, but the championship itself looks beyond his reach.

In a candid interview with Sky Sports, Verstappen admitted that the last few months had been far from easy: “Naturally, it’s been turbulent,” said the four-time world champion.

“But now things are very calm in the team, the atmosphere is good, and that’s how it should be in the end.” However, Verstappen was quick to emphasise that Red Bull’s performance had not met his expectations: “We are not satisfied with our performance this year.”

Currently, Verstappen sits third in the Drivers’ Championship, a daunting 69 points behind Oscar Piastri. Red Bull themselves are only fourth in the Constructors’ standings, with Yuki Tsunoda languishing in 17th place. For a team accustomed to domination, this is a major reality check.

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Verstappen views the changes at Red Bull positively

Despite the disappointment, he remains loyal to Red Bull in the long term. “I’ve always said that I’d like to drive here until the end,” he explained.

“Several things changed back then. Now it feels like a family again. We’ve always talked openly about it. You do things like a family.”

The changes he alluded to, including restructuring management and improving transparency, have helped mend some of the fractures within the squad. For a driver who has never been shy about voicing his frustrations, Verstappen’s tone was noticeably more measured this time. He emphasised trust, describing Red Bull’s internal climate as finally aligned with his needs.

Rumours of a potential move to Mercedes had circulated during the chaos, but Verstappen insists that his decision to stay was based on what “felt best”. For now, the relationship appears to be repaired. However, with new regulations looming, the true test of this harmony is still to come.

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The challenge of 2026 and the engine gamble

Looking beyond the current season, Verstappen knows that the real challenge will come with Red Bull Powertrains. For the first time, the team will supply its own engines when the new regulations come into effect in 2026. This is no small gamble.

“Next year, it won’t be easy with our own engine. That’s also a new risk,” said Verstappen. ‘They did that when they entered Formula 1, and it wasn’t bad.”

While the Dutchman frames this as a necessary step, beneath the optimism lies an awareness that an independent engine programme could make or break Red Bull’s future. The energy drink company is venturing into a field previously dominated by automotive giants, and despite his talent, Verstappen can only achieve so much if the horsepower isn’t there.

 

Red Bull: a family reunion

If Formula 1 is a soap opera on wheels, then Red Bull’s 2025 season has certainly been one of its more melodramatic storylines. Picture it: one moment, the family is screaming at each other in the kitchen, plates flying and Uncle Christian being shown the door. A scene straight out of Eastenders (if you’re from the UK).

The next, they’re all back around the dinner table, smiling politely and pretending nothing happened. Verstappen, ever the stern older brother, has reassured everyone that peace has returned, for now, at least. For now, at least.

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The ghost of Horner still lingers

One can’t help but notice the curious quiet surrounding Christian Horner’s dramatic exit. The man who once ruled the Red Bull paddock with an iron fist and sharp words has now been consigned to the history books of Formula 1 gossip columns. Verstappen insists that things are calmer without Horner, though this does leave the paddock wondering if ‘calmer’ also means ‘slower’.

After all, it’s easier to be tranquil when you’re not leading both championships. Red Bull’s competitors certainly aren’t mourning Horner’s departure — McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes have been more than happy to inherit the spoils of their chaos.

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Max’s loyal soldier act

Despite his fiery outbursts in the past, Verstappen now seems to have adopted the role of the loyal soldier. While his desire to end his career at Red Bull sounds admirable, one might question whether this is genuine commitment or merely a safety net until he sees how the 2026 engine pans out. After all, in Formula 1, ‘forever’ often means ‘until the next competitive contract offer’.

Nevertheless, credit where credit’s due, Verstappen has matured. A younger Max might have stormed through the garage with a list of demands and a few choice words for the engineers. Today’s Max, however, chooses diplomacy, even if it means reminding the press that he’s “not satisfied”. This way, if things go wrong again, he can always claim he saw it coming.

The Dutchman may be smiling now, but the maths remain grim. Catching Oscar Piastri in the championship is almost impossible, and Red Bull’s fourth place in the Constructors’ standings will be a bitter memory long after the champagne of Monza and Baku has dried up. However, the sport moves quickly, and two victories have at least reminded the paddock that Verstappen is still a formidable opponent when his car is performing well.

2026 looms large, like a storm cloud waiting to test Red Bull’s shiny new engine project. If it works, Verstappen will be hailed once again as the architect of Red Bull’s next dynasty. If it fails, however, he’ll be linked with every other team by mid-season.

 

The verdict?

For now, Verstappen’s comments reflect a cautious optimism mixed with frustration and faith. Red Bull is no longer the all-conquering empire it once was, but it remains a team Max is willing to believe in, at least publicly. Whether the peace will last beyond the next regulation shake-up is anyone’s guess.

So, dear jury, what do you make of Verstappen’s transformation from raging bull to dutiful family man? Has Red Bull truly found serenity, or is this just the calm before the next storm? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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