Red Bull Reveal Max Verstappen Temporarily ‘Lost Interest’ in Formula 1 Amid Struggles with Car Performance
Red Bull Racing has admitted that reigning world champion Max Verstappen momentarily “lost interest” in Formula 1 earlier this season after struggling with a lack of competitiveness in his RB21 car. The revelation came from the team’s senior advisor, Helmut Marko, who explained that the Dutch driver’s motivation dipped during a difficult phase when Red Bull’s performance failed to meet his expectations.
Verstappen, currently chasing his fifth consecutive F1 drivers’ title, faced an uncharacteristically challenging start to the 2025 campaign. The team’s early-season form was below par, and hopes of matching Michael Schumacher’s historic streak of five consecutive titles between 2000 and 2004 seemed to be slipping away. Red Bull’s dominance from previous years appeared to have faded, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris emerging as the frontrunners thanks to their superior MCL39 package.
However, a significant turning point came at the Italian Grand Prix when Red Bull introduced a crucial floor upgrade to the RB21. The update immediately revitalized the team’s performance, enabling Verstappen to compete more closely with the McLarens. Since then, the Dutchman has mounted an impressive comeback, winning two of the last three races and finishing second in the other, reigniting his championship hopes.
Marko credited both technical and managerial changes within the team for the resurgence. Following the appointment of Laurent Mekies as team principal, Red Bull underwent internal restructuring that improved collaboration between the engineering department and drivers. This shift in approach has helped the team develop a more driver-focused strategy.
“Laurent Mekies has introduced a different approach from the engineering side,” Marko told Sky Sports F1. “They’re working very well together now. The engineers are listening to the drivers more, asking them what they need from the car. And once the car started improving, Max did what he always does — he delivered.”
Despite the recent upswing in form, Marko revealed that during the team’s earlier struggles, Verstappen’s passion for Formula 1 had waned. “At one stage, when we were not competitive, Max lost a bit of interest,” he said. “He started paying more attention to GT racing. To keep him in a good mood, I’d talk to him about things like the Nürburgring and other racing categories.”
Indeed, during that lull, Verstappen turned his attention to GT racing and even made a victorious debut in GT3 competition at the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife. His success outside Formula 1 provided him with a refreshing challenge and allowed him to rediscover his motivation.
Now, with Red Bull’s competitiveness restored, Verstappen’s enthusiasm for F1 has returned stronger than ever. Marko highlighted that the 27-year-old driver has become visibly happier and more engaged in recent weeks. “Now that the car is working properly again — and after his win at the Nürburgring — you can see the difference in him,” Marko explained. “He’s smiling, he’s relaxed, and he’s giving everything. I’d say two-tenths of the improvement we’ve seen recently comes purely from his renewed motivation.”
Verstappen’s resurgence has brought him back within striking distance of the championship lead. Following the United States Grand Prix sprint race, where both McLaren drivers failed to finish, he now trails Oscar Piastri by just 55 points — a gap that once seemed insurmountable.
With several races remaining, Red Bull believes that Verstappen’s momentum could carry him all the way to another championship triumph. Marko concluded with optimism: “When Max is enjoying himself, you know he’s dangerous for the competition. You don’t hear him shouting on the radio anymore — just calm, focused communication. That’s when he’s at his best.”
As the 2025 Formula 1 season heads into its decisive final stretch, Verstappen’s renewed passion, coupled with Red Bull’s technical revival, has turned what once seemed a lost cause into one of the most compelling comebacks in recent F1 history.
