Formula 1’s reigning champion, Max Verstappen, may already be waving the white flag in his 2025 title defense, according to Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko. With Verstappen slipping to 10th place in Barcelona and falling nearly 50 points behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, cracks are beginning to show—not just in Red Bull’s performance, but in the mindset of its star driver.
In an interview with Osterreich, Marko gave a surprisingly candid admission: “That’s right,” he said when asked if Verstappen is slowly giving up on the drivers’ championship. “I’m trying to cheer him up because we’re not giving up yet. But something has to be done with the car.”
This statement marks a dramatic shift in tone for the typically dominant Red Bull Racing team, and it’s setting off alarm bells throughout the paddock.
Barcelona Blowout and Growing Frustration
Heading into the Spanish Grand Prix, spirits were high. Max Verstappen had just become a father to baby Lily, and early signs suggested the new Imola-spec upgrades might deliver results in Spain. But the weekend quickly fell apart.
According to Red Bull’s Helmut Marko, “He was more relaxed… until Spain.” The turning point? A series of frustrating incidents that saw Max Verstappen hit with FIA penalties, forced to surrender position on track, and—most controversially—embroiled in a heated clash with George Russell. The penalties dropped him to P10, leaving him not just trailing Oscar Piastri but also hovering dangerously close to a race ban.
Red Bull Racing’s struggles weren’t just with strategy and temperament. A major concern, Helmut Marko said, is that “our car just isn’t fast enough… we’re still three tenths behind McLaren.”
Contract Rumors and Future Uncertainty
The chaos at the Barcelona Spanish GP has reignited speculation about Max Verstappen’s long-term future with Red Bull. Rumors of a potential contract exit clause have been circulating, with some suggesting the Dutch driver could be looking for a way out. Marko was quick to shoot those theories down: “Alleged exit clauses seem to be popping up everywhere now, but none of that is relevant at the moment.”
Still, his tone suggests all is not well behind closed doors. Asked about the George Russell incident, Helmut Marko didn’t defend Max Verstappen: “Max could have handled it much more elegantly.”
It’s understood that Helmut Marko met with Verstappen this week in Austria to cool tensions. “Yes, [he’s calmed down], but that doesn’t solve our problem,” he admitted. “Our car still isn’t fast enough.”
What’s Next for Verstappen and Red Bull?
The 2025 F1 season is far from over, but Max Verstappen’s bid for a fifth consecutive world title is hanging by a thread. Between mounting technical issues, rising tensions, and a growing points gap, the champion’s calm is beginning to crack.
Whether Red Bull can rally and mount a comeback—or whether Max Verstappen continues to lose motivation—will define the rest of the season.
