Christian Horner Gives Max Verstappen Crucial Boost Amid F1 Title Threat

Max Verstappen is aiming for a fifth consecutive Formula 1 drivers’ title in 2025, but the season has proven tougher than expected for the Red Bull Racing star. After nine races, Verstappen is third in the standings with 137 points, sitting 49 points behind Oscar Piastri of McLaren, who leads with 186.

This sizable gap grew after Verstappen received a 10-second penalty at the Spanish Grand Prix, dropping him from fourth to tenth in the final results and limiting his points haul on a crucial weekend.

Red Bull principal Christian Horner has been clear that the team is not ready to surrender its title hopes, even as McLaren continues to set the pace. Horner praised Verstappen’s determination, highlighting his standout performances despite the team’s current challenges.

“There’s a significant gap now, but there are an awful lot of points still available,” Horner told journalists. Although McLaren holds an advantage, he stressed that Red Bull is committed to developing the car further and backing Verstappen’s pursuit of the championship.

The current season marks a shift in the balance of power on the Formula 1 grid. While Red Bull comfortably dominated from 2021 to 2024, the opening nine rounds in 2025 have seen McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris collect points at a rapid rate. Details on McLaren’s rise can be seen in recent coverage of McLaren’s pace against rivals like Lewis Hamilton.

Norris is also in the mix, trailing his teammate by just 10 points. Verstappen, meanwhile, has contributed 95 percent of Red Bull’s total at this stage, as his teammate Yuki Tsunoda and reserve Liam Lawson have found it challenging to match the Dutch driver’s results.

Horner acknowledged that McLaren’s pace has made it difficult for Red Bull to stay on terms during race stints. He explained that while Verstappen could pull clear of most of the field, McLaren remains one step ahead each weekend.

Still, Horner believes that reaching the halfway mark of the season with so many points left up for grabs keeps hope alive for a championship turnaround.

Red Bull’s position in the constructors’ table also reflects the team’s struggles, sitting fourth with 144 points, behind McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. McLaren leads with 362 points, followed by Ferrari on 165, and Mercedes at 159.

The next race on the calendar takes place at the Canadian Grand Prix on June 15, and Red Bull will aim to close the gap in both championships.

Despite recent setbacks, Verstappen’s resilience and Red Bull’s ongoing development give them a fighting chance as the season continues. With 15 races still left in the year and plenty of points on the table, Horner’s message is clear: the team will keep pushing to recover ground and support Verstappen’s drive for a historic fifth consecutive title.