P1racenews AI automatic summary:
“No one expected” Red Bull’s Hungarian GP to be as bad as it was – but its struggles there exposed the reality it has to come to terms with about the remainder of its 2025 F1 campaign
Max Verstappen’s hopes for the rest of the 2025 Formula 1 season have been scaled back to merely aiming for “good weekends here and there” following Red Bull’s struggles.
The team’s limitations were starkly exposed as Verstappen finished a lackluster ninth in the Hungarian Grand Prix, leaving him trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 97 points.
It seems more likely that George Russell could overtake Verstappen for third in the standings rather than the Dutchman defending his title, with Russell just 15 points behind.
Red Bull’s struggles are reflected in their fourth place, trailing Mercedes by 42 points and with only 35% of McLaren’s points in the constructors’ championship.
Following a difficult period, Hungary included, Verstappen’s expectations for the season ahead have been significantly adjusted, shedding light on Red Bull’s challenging position.
The unexpected turn of events in Hungary has highlighted potential deeper issues within Red Bull, posing challenges that may be more complex than initially thought.
As the team navigates these obstacles, Red Bull’s performance relative to both Mercedes and McLaren indicates a tough road ahead for the remainder of the season.
