Red Bull’s return to the fight for the Formula 1 world title with Max Verstappen is now a clear reality. Ever since the RB21 began showing genuine signs of renewed competitiveness, the message within the Austrian team has been simple: take each race weekend as it comes, without getting carried away. Proof of the car’s revival has arrived progressively, race after race.
Red Bull wanted to keep pushing, but Christian didn’t
The victories between Monza and Baku were initially met with caution, as they were achieved on circuits with unique layouts that didn’t necessarily reflect the car’s true potential. However, the strong performances that followed in Singapore and Texas erased all doubts. Today, the four-time Formula 1 world champion once again has a car capable of being competitive on every type of track.
The real turning point of Red Bull’s season came at the Italian Grand Prix, where the team introduced a series of progressive updates that brought the RB21 significantly closer to the formidable McLaren MCL39. This raises an interesting question: if Christian Horner had remained in charge, would the team have continued to invest in a car that, at one point, seemed unable to challenge the papaya-colored McLarens?
It’s important to note that in Formula 1, the process between designing an upgrade and bringing it to the track typically takes two to three months. That means the developments introduced by Red Bull from Monza onwards had already been planned well before the summer break. Horner was officially relieved of his duties on July 9, but even that decision had clearly been maturing for some time within the Austrian organization.
Renewed competitiveness reveals new insights
The most accepted explanation for one of the most surprising dismissals in recent Formula 1 history pointed to growing tensions between the British team principal and the Austrian leadership, which had long been aligned with the so-called “Verstappen clan.” However, with time, new information has surfaced, offering a clearer picture of what may have really happened behind the scenes.
According to insights related to Red Bull’s short- and medium-term sporting plans, Christian Horner had reportedly wanted to divert most of the team’s resources toward the next season, convinced that the current project had reached its limit. In his view, the RB21 could no longer close the technical gap to McLaren’s MCL39, making further investment in a plateauing car seem illogical.
This approach was interpreted internally as a direct criticism of the work done by the technical department led by Pierre Waché. At Milton Keynes, few seemed heartbroken over Horner’s departure. Continuing the 2025 project’s development has already proven the strength of the RB21’s concept. After all, if a car were truly a failure, no update could suddenly turn it into a winner — just ask Ferrari’s SF-25 for confirmation.
Could the push for change have started in England?
At this point, it’s fair to wonder whether the growing discontent from Red Bull’s Austrian side toward Horner found fertile ground right at Milton Keynes. One could even take the thought further: what if it was the British technical hub itself that initiated the internal loss of confidence in the former CEO of Red Bull’s UK divisions? It’s a scenario that doesn’t sound far-fetched.
The desire to return to competitiveness immediately may have played a decisive role, supported by those unwilling to wait for the next season to discover the potential of the RB22. What’s clear now is that the satisfaction within both Max Verstappen’s camp and the technical departments has grown in parallel with the team’s recent performances — proving that Red Bull can not only compete but also win even without Adrian Newey’s direct involvement.
Leave a Reply