“Let’s not hide behind the fact.” admits Red Bull, who seems to be open about a big driver problem – Red Bull Racing isn’t pretending that everything is fine behind Max Verstappen. While the 2024 world champion continues to perform at the highest level, the team has admitted that filling the second seat is problematic, and they must solve this issue quickly if they want to return to their dominant, title-winning form.
At the recent Autosport Business Exchange, team principal Laurent Mekies made it clear that the Milton Keynes outfit is not making excuses.
“We are not hiding behind the fact that we need to do a better job with the second car, and that includes the second half of last year,” Mekies told f1.com.
For a team accustomed to setting the standard in Formula 1, this level of candor speaks volumes.
Verstappen Carrying the Load
Last season underscored just how dependent Red Bull had become on Verstappen’s brilliance. The Dutchman carried the team on his shoulders, producing what many described as a one-man campaign to keep Red Bull within touching distance of McLaren.
While Verstappen continued to extract maximum performance from the car, the other side of the garage struggled to make an impact. Yuki Tsunoda, who was brought in to replace Liam Lawson early in the season, was unable to deliver the consistency and results the team had hoped for.
Tsunoda finished the championship in 17th place with only 30 points, a stark contrast to Verstappen’s total and far from what is needed for a serious shot at the Constructors’ Championship.
The imbalance was impossible to ignore.
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“There is no easy solution…”
Mekies did not sugarcoat the situation. Although he acknowledged that Tsunoda had shown some improvement during the year, it was not enough to meet Red Bull’s expectations.
“Yes, we have made progress with Yuki, but not to the extent that we had hoped,” Mekies admitted. “So, we are aware that we need to improve. There is no easy solution. It is a complex matter, and we are approaching it as such.”
The complexity lies in the unique demands of the Red Bull car. Several talented drivers have struggled over the years to adapt to a machine often tailored to Verstappen’s aggressive driving style. The challenge is not just about speed in a single lap, but also about consistently performing well across a full race weekend while managing tires, strategy, and pressure.
Red Bull’s leadership knows that solving the second-seat puzzle is not as simple as switching drivers.
Hadjar gets his opportunity
Now, the spotlight shifts to Isack Hadjar. The French-Algerian driver impressed as a rookie with Racing Bulls, finishing 12th in the World Championship and claiming a breakthrough podium at Zandvoort with third place, a performance that firmly put him on Red Bull’s radar.
With that momentum behind him, Hadjar has been handed an opportunity that many before him have struggled to seize.
Mekies is clearly optimistic about what the young driver can bring.
“I think Isack brings incredible raw speed. We think his starting level last year was outstanding, on par with the very best,” he explained.
However, Red Bull’s expectations go beyond natural pace.
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More than just raw talent
For Mekies, the difference between a promising driver and a champion lies in continuous evolution.
“The greats, the champions, not only have an incredible starting position, but they also continue to develop,” he said. “It’s not just about development through maturity or dialogue with the engineers. They actually get faster.”
Red Bull believes that Hadjar demonstrated this trait during his rookie campaign. His progression over the season, particularly his composure under pressure in Zandvoort, suggested a driver capable of learning quickly and raising his level.
“We saw that last year with Isack at Racing Bulls, so we are convinced that his potential is enormous,” Mekies added.
A defining test lies ahead
Hadjar understands the magnitude of the task at hand. Replacing underperforming predecessors while sharing a garage with a generational talent like Verstappen is arguably one of the toughest jobs in Formula 1.
According to Mekies, the youngster is approaching it with the right mindset.
“He is fully aware of the challenge. He is grounded and humble. We will support him so that he can develop his talent in the car.”
For Red Bull, the message is clear: a strong car alone will not secure championships. If Haddad can provide the consistency and points haul missing from the second seat, the team could become a dominant force on the grid once again.
If not, the driver carousel may continue spinning.
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NEXT ARTICLE – FIA call last minute powertrain crunch meeting in Bahrain
Just over twelve months ago, the FIA called a meeting of the powertrain manufacturers to discuss concerns that the all new 2026 F1 cars would run out of electrical charge along the straights. The proposal was to reduce the amount of electrical energy from its current 50/50 power split with the internal combustion engine.
To enforce any changes, there needed to be a super majority agreement, meaning four of the five manufacturers were required to vote in agreement. Audi and Honda in particular were not in favour of a tweak in the regulations and so the matter was swept under the carpet.
Now the fears of many have come to pass as in the Barcelona shakedown a number of drivers reported a loss of electrical power along the front straight and that they were forced to lift and coast into corners to conserve electrical energy. The FIA has now slated a pow wow with the manufacturers during the upcoming Bahrain pre-season test where the matter may well be revisited, although the primary purpose for the meeting is another topic entirely.
Mercedes new powertrain questioned for legality
Ferrari, Audi and Honda have been corresponding with the FIA in recent weeks since it came to light that Mercedes are using a metallurgical trick to defeat F1 governing body’s test for compression ratio’s in the internal combustion engine.
Engineers having left Mercedes High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth have allegedly spilled the beans on their former employer. The FIA test is conducted at ambient temperature when the power unit is ‘cold.’ However, once up to operating temperature, expansion in the specially selected metallic compound closes off a pocket in the cylinder, in effect reducing the cubic capacity and upping the compression ratio estimated at 18.1.
Initially it was believed that Red Bull too were exploiting a similar technology in their powertrain, although this now appears not to be the case. Red Bull have joined the other three manufacturers and are ready to protest the Mercedes power unit in an effort to have it declared illegal.
At the Barcelona shakedown, as happens each preseason, the teams had their espionage divisions in full action. Readings are taken by engineers of their rival’s engine notes at certain points around the circuit which are then analysed and reveal a whole host of information…CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE
Craig.J. Alderson is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Craig oversees newsroom operations and coordinates editorial output across the site. With a background in online sports reporting and motorsport magazine editing, he plays a key role in maintaining consistency, speed, and accuracy in TJ13’s coverage.
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Max is NOT current reigning champion!!
good spot!