Max Verstappen Faces Crucial and Worrying Question Ahead

Red Bull Racing is facing increasing concern as questions mount about what would happen if Max Verstappen were unable to compete in upcoming Formula 1 races. Verstappen, the defending world champion, has broken several F1 records throughout his career and is targeting a fifth consecutive drivers’ title.

Only Michael Schumacher has reached that mark in the modern era. Verstappen’s dominance is highlighted by the fact that during his time with Red Bull, he has outperformed every teammate, including Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, and Liam Lawson.

None have managed to match his pace, and several have been replaced due to this consistent performance gap. Yuki Tsunoda, joining Red Bull as Verstappen’s current teammate, has also found it challenging to extract similar results from the RB21.

Since joining the team before the Japanese Grand Prix, Tsunoda has managed just seven points, while Verstappen has collected 101 during the same period and secured two race victories. This significant difference in contribution underscores the reliance Red Bull places on Verstappen, turning the operation into, effectively, a one-car team.

The situation has raised alarms within the paddock, with former team principal Eric Boullier warning about its dangers. Boullier described Verstappen as “special” and capable of extracting performance from the car at a level unmatched by his teammates.

He acknowledged Verstappen’s reputation for being assertive on track but emphasized the unique skill set that puts the Dutch driver above his peers.

The scenario has become more complicated given the car’s temperament this season.

If Verstappen were to miss a grand prix for any reason, Red Bull’s prospects would be deeply affected. Boullier made the comparison that if a leading driver at McLaren were unavailable, the other could step up without much loss in performance, but that might not be the case for Red Bull.

This possibility has become a major talking point among F1 enthusiasts and insiders, particularly after Verstappen’s recent on-track clashes, such as his incident with George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix. The fallout from such events highlights just how thin the margin is for Red Bull when it comes to their driver lineup.

Across Formula 1, team depth is crucial for title contention. Looking at the current 2025 drivers’ standings, Max Verstappen sits in third with 137 points, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri leads with 186 and Lando Norris holds second at 176.

Red Bull as a team is fourth in the standings with 144 points, behind McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. Verstappen’s individual contribution makes up more than two-thirds of Red Bull’s total, emphasizing the gap between him and his teammate.

As competition intensifies and teams prepare for the next races, Red Bull is under pressure to find solutions that provide better balance and security. While Verstappen’s talent continues to drive the team’s results, the search for a teammate who can match his consistency remains.

Attention will remain on Red Bull as fans and analysts watch to see whether the team can address this pressing concern or continue to rely on Verstappen’s extraordinary abilities, especially as drivers like McLaren’s lineup continue to challenge for top positions in the 2025 season.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.