The Formula 1 Grand Prix of Miami 2025 will not be forgotten for Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen, but for the wrong reasons. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s influential adviser, called the loss of Verstappen’s leading position “depressing” and pointed to a series of problems that teased the team. Verstappen himself was no less sharp in his judgment. After a failed pit stop and persistent problems with the RB21, he summarized his frustration in five powerful words: “This car is just worthless.” This statement, raw and unfiltered, underlines the growing tension within the team and the urgent need for improvements to keep the title fight alive.

The race in Miami started promising for Verstappen, who started from pole position after a strong qualification. But it soon became clear that the RB21 did not have the speed to keep the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. A crucial pit stop error, where a human error was the culprit according to Marko, cost Verstappen valuable seconds. He fell back to fourth place, a position that he could no longer improve. Marko spoke with the press afterwards and emphasized that such mistakes are unacceptable for a team that fights for the championship. “We could have won, but everything went wrong,” he said, pointing to the poor adjustment of the car and the operational blunders.

For Verstappen, Miami was a repeat of previous frustrations this season. The RB21 has been struggling with balance problems and inconsistent performance since the winter tests, especially on circuits with high tire wear such as Miami. Although Red Bull showed signs of progress in Jeddah, with a pole position and a strong racepace, the updates in Miami were not effective. Verstappen complained about a lack of grip and a car that feels “unpredictable”, especially in warm circumstances. His five words were not only an expression of anger, but also a wake-up call for the team. “We have to solve this now,” he added, referring to the planned upgrades for the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna.

The disappointment in Miami comes at a critical moment. With the MCL39, McLaren has built up a lead in the constructors’ championship, and Norris leads the drivers classification with a small margin on Verstappen. Marko admitted that Red Bull is currently the fifth team in the pecking order, behind McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari and even Alpine on certain circuits. This is a painful reality for a team that dominated in recent years. The adviser spoke of a “structural problem” in the development of the RB21, where correlation problems between simulations and circuit performance hinder progress. Despite a new front wing and attempts to improve the floor, the car is left on the competition.

The tensions within Red Bull are exacerbated by speculation about Verstappen’s future. With performance clauses in his contract and interest of teams such as Mercedes and Aston Martin, the pressure on team boss Christian Horner and technical director Pierre Waché is growing to deliver results. Marko trivialized rumors about a departure, but emphasized that Verstappen earns a car with which he can win. “Max is loyal, but we have to give him a better car,” he said. The Austrian hopes that the upgrades in Imola, who promise a more complete package, can turn the tide.

For Verstappen, the 2025 season is a test of patience. His four world titles bear witness to his unparalleled talent, but even he cannot overcome the limitations of the RB21. Yet he remains combative. After Miami he spoke about the need to “work together and not to point each other.” He believes that Red Bull has the capacity to fight back, but time is running out. With the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna in Zicht, the team focuses on a crucial phase of the season. If the upgrades do not deliver, Red Bull is in danger of falling behind, and Verstappens will only grow frustration. For now his judgment on the RB21 lingers: five words that make the urgency of the situation painfully clear.