Red Bull 2025 “needs a broader operating window and a more predictable car”. Red Bull has a lot of work to do over the winter to climb back to the top.

Homework for Red Bull
After the record-breaking 2023 Formula 1 season, it was hard to imagine Red Bull finishing only third in the Constructors’ Championship and securing ‘just’ 9 wins in 24 Grands Prix. However, the RB20 proved to be far from a straightforward car, and even a talent like Max Verstappen struggled in the second half of the season, achieving just 1 pole position in the last 17 races.
In short, Red Bull has a lot of work to do over the winter to climb back to the top, now without Adrian Newey, who will soon join Aston Martin.

What was missing from the RB20?
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s consultant, shared his insights in an interview with *Speedweek*: “There will be some changes within the team because of a few departures. But I believe our team is capable of providing Max with a car that can fight for the championship again. We know what needs to be done. This car needs a broader operating window so it doesn’t lose balance with slight temperature changes or small technical adjustments. Our engineers are working on that. Ultimately, 40 points of downforce are great, but what matters to me and the driver is a four-tenths advantage at the finish line. The car’s behavior must be predictable so that the driver can have the confidence he needs.”

Helmut Marko is, of course, betting everything on Max Verstappen: “With Max, we have the fastest driver on the grid, and we will clearly cater to his preferences regarding the car’s characteristics. I’m confident that as long as we give him a competitive car, he will stay with Red Bull Racing.”

The Austrian advisor also stated that he expects another tight battle at the top due to regulatory stability.