Why Verstappen's 'good' performances 'have done more harm than good' to Red Bull

07:28, 21 Jul

Updated: 07:32, 21 Jul

byCas van de Kleut

After years of dominance, Max Verstappen is now facing a tougher challenge. While the Dutchman ruled Formula 1 in 2022 and 2023, things have changed in 2025. Gary Anderson believes the main reason for Red Bull Racing’s dip in performance might actually lie with Verstappen himself.

In a mid-season review for The Race, Anderson took a closer look at both Verstappen and Red Bull’s performance.

The former F1 engineer ranked teams not just by results, but by how much potential they’re extracting from their cars. Based on that metric, he placed Red Bull second — suggesting they’re no longer making the most of what they’ve got.

Max Verstappen

Verstappen has 'done more harm than good' with his 'good performances'

About this, Anderson said that the ranking shows that Red Bull is a team ‘geared around one driver'.

About Verstappen, the former engineer said: “Without doubt, Verstappen is exceptional, with total confidence in his talent but even he needs the car to be in the ballpark.''

''Arguably, his ‘good’ performances have done more harm than good given they have hidden just how difficult the car has become.''

Anderson continued: ''For a long time, Verstappen has complained about balance problems and although things have improved, it's not been by enough.''

''Perhaps that’s convinced technical director Pierre Wache that sustained success is just around the corner if you can tweak the correct knob to make that performance be produced consistently''

Red Bull is currently fourth in the constructor's championship. This is largely down to Verstappen. Without the points he has scored in 2025, Red Bull — the constructors' champions in both 2022 and 2023 — would be sitting at the very bottom of the standings.

Verstappen himself is found in third place among the drivers. Only the McLaren duo, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, are ahead of the Dutchman in the standings. Championship leader Piastri holds a commanding lead, sitting 69 points clear of Verstappen.