What Does Red Bull Need to Do to Pull Ahead?
It’s no secret that Red Bull Racing has been slipping in the 2025 Constructors’ standings, and with the storied Spa-Francorchamps circuit fast approaching, team Oracle stands to lose more than just a Grand Prix. Currently sitting in third place in the constructors’ standings, Max Verstappen may be prepared to leave the team if he is unable to maintain his position following the next few races. Though the exact date is unknown, it is speculated that if Verstappen is in fifth place or below by the August break, it will trigger an exit clause in his contract, allowing him to sign with another team for 2026. Verstappen maintains an 18-point lead on the current fourth position, George Russell, but that lead may falter unless Red Bull can get a better grip on their car. For Team Oracle, the stakes are rising.
McLaren dominates the constructors’ standings with an impressive 238-point lead over Ferrari in second place. Other teams are left looking for a way to keep up, and many view Max Verstappen as the perfect upgrade. Mercedes-AMG team principal Toto Wolff has previously expressed interest in signing Verstappen, a partnership that other teams would rightly fear. With a stronger team performance in the constructors’ championship than that of Red Bull, Petronas may have the backing that Verstappen needs to stay at the top.
At the recent Silverstone Grand Prix, Verstappen showed his prowess with the fastest lap in qualifying, landing him pole position ahead of the McLaren team. Unfortunately, when the weather turned sour on the day of the race, Verstappen was unable to control the car and spun out, eventually managing to recover somewhat to take fifth place. These control issues are nothing new for Red Bull, with both Max and second seat Yuki Sunoda regularly complaining about the car’s inconsistency and poor handling. At Silverstone, these issues were amplified by the decision to put on hard tires, a mistake that many say cost Verstappen a podium position.
Early weather predictions show that the Grand Prix of Belgium is likely to see rain, creating similar conditions to those of Silverstone. Rain is expected at the practice and qualifying days as well, providing an opportunity to test the car in unpredictable terrain. Softer or intermediate tires may be necessary to maintain precise movement through Spa’s unforgiving turns, such as the infamous Eau Rouge/Raidillon. Verstappen boasts several wins on the Spa circuit, but overreliance on his skill could lead to the same result as Silverstone.
