For the past four seasons, Formula 1 has seen an enormous dominance from Red Bull driver and four-time world champion Max Verstappen. But this year, it seems like the dominance has ended.

The Austrian team seems to be struggling to perform well this season, with Verstappen only winning one of the four Grand Prix’s that have happened so far this year. He currently sits third (69 points) in the drivers’ standings, with both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris (77 points) and Oscar Piastri (74 points), ahead of him.

Red Bull’s Performance This Season

Other teams seem to have caught up Red Bull with their car performances. McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes have been showing a quicker pace than Red Bull.

Although Max Verstappen still manages to sit in third place at the championship standings, his teammates for this year – Liam Lawson, who has stepped down to Racing Bulls, and Yuki Tsunoda, Lawson’s replacement – accumulate only two points over four races altogether. 

The latest Grand Prix, in Bahrain, shocked the Formula 1 paddock. After securing a win in the Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen struggled in Bahrain and finished sixth – behind both drivers from McLaren and Ferrari, as well as George Russell from Mercedes.

The RB21’s tendency to degrade its tires and its unpredictable balance have forced Verstappen and his engineers to compromise on performance. Although it is a possibility that RB21 could improve with 20 races still left for this year’s calendar, the Austrian team’s worries grow that the four-consecutive-times champion could choose to leave if they do not improve quickly.

Could Max Verstappen Leave Red Bull?

Despite being contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, Max Verstappen’s future with the team is under significant scrutiny after a tough start to the 2025 season. Their poor car performance has fueled speculation that Verstappen could activate an exit clause in his contract, particularly if he falls below third in the drivers’ standings after portion of the season.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has called the team’s situation “very alarming,” emphasizing for an urgent improvement in order to keep Verstappen. 

Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has also warned “If the car is not competitive soon, Max will be gone.” 

The upcoming Grand Prix at Imola is seen as a critical moment for both Verstappen and Red Bull. The team has promised significant upgrades, and if they fail to deliver tangible improvements, Verstappen’s departure to another team – especially Mercedes or Aston Martin – becomes increasingly real.