2024 will have been a mixed year for Red Bull. Very efficient at the start of the season, the Austrian single-seater allowed Max Verstappen to quickly take the lead and open up a comfortable gap in the Drivers' Championship.
However, in the second half of the season, the Austrian team was caught up, then overtaken by McLaren and Ferrari. Ultimately, although Verstappen won his fourth consecutive Drivers' World Championship title, Red Bull finished only 3rd in the Constructors' Championship.
Despite a contract linking him to Red Bull until 2028, the Dutchman could consider leaving if performances do not follow. The team's senior advisor, Helmut Marko, is realistic and admits that there will be “no reason for Max to stay” if the new RB21 is not competitive.
Furthermore, Verstappen is closely followed by several teams, notably Mercedes. Currently, the German team fields a driver pairing of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, but with Russell's contract set to end in 2025, Mercedes could try to lure the Dutchman. Furthermore, if the rumors are true, Mercedes would have a head start on the new 2026 regulations, which would constitute a strong argument to convince the quadruple world champion.
Red Bull must offer a competitive car
Helmut Marko has admitted that the team must provide Verstappen with a car capable of fighting at the front at all circuits to allow him to aim for another title. Although he trusts the Dutchman's talent, Marko knows that without a good car the task will be more difficult. And with an uncompetitive car, Verstappen could be tempted to leave.
As Marko explained to F1-Insider : “We have to provide him with a car with which he can win on his own. It may be a tenth of a second or two slower than the others, but unlike last year's car, it needs to be competitive throughout the season and on every circuit. If we can't do that, there's no reason for Max to stay with us. You have to be realistic about this. »
-To reinforce this idea, Jos Verstappen, Max's father, had already suggested that “anything is possible” regarding his son's future: “He can stay with Red Bull if he sees an interest in it. His goal is always to be able to win races. If he feels that this is no longer possible at Red Bull, a departure cannot be ruled out. »
The 2025 season will therefore be crucial for Red Bull if they wish to retain their Dutch prodigy.
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To summarize
With a less competitive car at the end of the 2024 season, Red Bull lost the Manufacturers' title. If Max Verstappen still won the Drivers' title, Helmut Marko knows what the team must do for the Dutchman to stay.
