Red Bull's rollercoaster 2025 season: A tale of two halves and a near-miss championship! Buckle up, because the 2025 Formula 1 season was a wild ride for Red Bull Racing. After a sluggish start, they mounted an incredible comeback, but was it enough? Let's dive into the highs and lows, the driver head-to-heads, and what's in store for 2026.
The Comeback Kid: Max Verstappen's Dominance
Max Verstappen, against all odds, nearly clinched his fifth World Championship. He transformed from an underdog to a dominant force, securing more race wins than his rivals. But here's where it gets controversial: His teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, struggled, leading to a driver change for the upcoming 2026 season.
Best Finishes: Verstappen's victory lap included the circuits of Japan, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, Azerbaijan, United States, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. What a performance!
Before the summer break, Verstappen's win count stood at a mere two. Red Bull seemed to have lost its edge. But the second half of the season was a different story. Verstappen claimed victory in six out of ten races, thrusting him back into the Drivers’ Championship battle. He capitalized on rivals' mistakes, like when Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris faltered in Qatar due to a strategy error.
Qualifying Head-to-Head:
- Verstappen 2-0 Lawson
- Verstappen 22-0 Tsunoda
Verstappen completely dominated in qualifying, showcasing his superior skill against both teammates in 2025. Liam Lawson was demoted back to Racing Bulls after a tough start, while Tsunoda couldn't match Verstappen's pace. This led to Verstappen securing eight pole positions, bringing his career total to 48.
Race Head-to-Head:
- Verstappen 2-0 Lawson
- Verstappen 21-1 Tsunoda
Unsurprisingly, Verstappen also led in race-day head-to-heads. Tsunoda's only finish ahead of Verstappen was at the Austrian Grand Prix, where Verstappen had his sole DNF (Did Not Finish) of the season after a first-lap collision with Kimi Antonelli. The final standings were tough for Tsunoda. While Verstappen finished second in the Drivers’ Championship with 421 points, Tsunoda ended up in 17th with 33 points.
Best Moment:
After a slow start to the season, Verstappen's resurgence was remarkable. He not only returned to winning ways but also missed the title by a mere two points. One of the greatest moments was his recovery drive in Brazil. Despite starting from the pit lane, he battled through the pack, eventually finishing third. Verstappen himself called it “incredible”.
Worst Moment:
The Austrian Grand Prix was a race to forget for Red Bull. Tsunoda was eliminated in Q1, and Verstappen started in seventh. On race day, Verstappen was taken out on the first lap, and Tsunoda finished last. This, along with Tsunoda's struggles, contributed to Red Bull finishing only third in the Teams’ Championship.
Goals for 2026:
Red Bull aims to start 2026 as strong as they finished 2025. With new technical regulations, there's uncertainty, but the team has stability with Team Principal Laurent Mekies. Verstappen, despite missing the 2025 title by two points, remains in top form. The big question mark is what will happen in the 2026 season. The identity of Verstappen’s teammate is confirmed, with Isack Hadjar stepping up from Racing Bulls.
What do you think? Did Red Bull's performance meet your expectations? Do you think they can take the top spot in 2026? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
