Red Bull DECLINE expected for 2025 as pressure piles on Horner
Red Bull faces a challenging 2025 Formula 1 season, with expectations dropping significantly after a difficult 2024 campaign. The team, which dominated the 2023 season by winning all but one race, had a rough time defending their constructors’ championship title, finishing third behind McLaren and Ferrari. While Max Verstappen continued his dominance, securing his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship, Red Bull’s overall performance faltered, and their struggles became evident throughout the season.
The team’s woes were compounded by a series of personal issues surrounding team principal Christian Horner. Despite overcoming internal investigations, Horner now faces immense pressure to rebuild his team and restore their previous success. Adding to the challenge, Red Bull lost key personnel, including Jonathan Wheatley, who moved to Sauber/Audi, and legendary designer Adrian Newey, who joined Aston Martin. These departures have left a significant gap in the team’s structure, further affecting their competitiveness.
On top of these difficulties, Sergio Perez’s form severely declined in 2024, leading to his departure from the team. Perez’s inconsistent performances prompted Red Bull to replace him with the relatively inexperienced Liam Lawson, who will partner Verstappen in 2025. This change in driver lineup only adds uncertainty to the team’s future prospects. Verstappen’s own future at Red Bull was also called into question during 2024, with rumors swirling about a potential move to Mercedes. These rumors, fueled by tensions between Horner and Verstappen’s father Jos, have since died down, but questions about Verstappen’s long-term commitment remain.
Looking ahead to 2025, Red Bull faces increased pressure to correct its performance issues over the winter break. If the team cannot deliver a competitive car, Verstappen’s desire to secure a fifth world championship could lead him to reconsider his options. Many F1 fans now expect Red Bull to continue struggling in the upcoming season. According to a recent poll by GP Fans, more than a third of voters predict that the team will drop further down the standings and finish in fourth place in the constructors’ championship, possibly behind Mercedes or Aston Martin. A quarter of voters believe Red Bull will remain in third, while another third are divided on whether the team will return to the top or settle for second place.
There are also concerns among a small group of fans, with just over ten percent fearing that Red Bull could experience another major collapse, potentially finishing as low as fifth or worse. With so many uncertainties surrounding the team’s future, the 2025 season could be one of their toughest yet. Red Bull will need to address both internal and external challenges if they hope to reclaim their position as the dominant force in Formula 1.
