Red Bull’s 2025 Season in Jeopardy? Insiders Expose “Alarming” RB21 Issues Ahead of F1 Opener

The 2025 Formula 1 season hasn’t even started, but Red Bull Racing is already grappling with a crisis that could threaten their reign at the top of the sport. After a dominant run that saw Max Verstappen clinch his fourth consecutive drivers’ title in 2024, the Milton Keynes-based team is now facing unexpected technical challenges with their new car, the RB21. As preseason testing in Bahrain painted a troubling picture, insiders have revealed a deeper, more “alarming” issue that could spell trouble for Verstappen and his new teammate, Liam Lawson. With the season opener in Melbourne just days away, the question looms: can Red Bull overcome these hurdles, or are we witnessing the end of their unchallenged dominance?

The first warning signs emerged during the Bahrain preseason tests, where Red Bull struggled to keep pace with rivals McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. While their competitors racked up consistent laps and showcased promising performance, Red Bull recorded the fewest laps of any team—a stark contrast to their usual reliability. But the lap count wasn’t the only concern. According to an in-depth analysis by Autosport, internal sources within Red Bull have pinpointed a critical flaw in the RB21: its inconsistency in responding to setup changes. The car reportedly fails to react predictably to adjustments made by the engineering team, leaving them scrambling to find solutions. “It’s alarming, especially so close to the start of the season,” one source admitted, highlighting the severity of the issue as the clock ticks down to the Australian Grand Prix.

The RB21’s woes don’t stop at setup unpredictability. Insiders revealed that the car suffers from unbalanced behavior on the track, exhibiting understeer in slow corners and oversteer in high-speed sections. This dual problem could severely hamper Verstappen and Lawson’s ability to extract optimal performance, particularly on circuits demanding precision and stability. For Verstappen, a driver known for his adaptability and razor-sharp precision, this inconsistency could prove frustrating, potentially costing him valuable points in a season where McLaren and Ferrari appear poised to capitalize on any weakness. Lawson, stepping into his first full season with Red Bull, faces an even steeper challenge as he adapts to a car that’s proving difficult to tame.

Compounding Red Bull’s troubles is the departure of legendary designer Adrian Newey, whose move to Aston Martin has left a void in the team’s technical department. Under the new leadership of technical director Pierre Waché, Red Bull is racing against time to stabilize the RB21 and restore its competitive edge. The absence of Newey, widely regarded as one of the greatest minds in F1 history, has sparked debate about whether his exit is contributing to the team’s current struggles. While Waché and his team are reportedly working around the clock to address the car’s issues, the pressure is mounting to deliver results before the season kicks off.

Adding to the complexity, Red Bull faces regulatory hurdles that could further complicate their preparations. Changes to the front and rear wing regulations for 2025 have forced teams to adapt their designs, and Red Bull unsuccessfully lobbied to delay these updates to buy more development time. Now, with the new rules in place, the team must make critical decisions about how to adjust the RB21 without sacrificing performance—a task made all the more daunting given their existing challenges. Meanwhile, McLaren and Ferrari have already demonstrated impressive pace in testing, raising the stakes for Red Bull to get their house in order.

Despite these setbacks, it would be premature to count Red Bull out. The team has a storied history of overcoming adversity, often turning mid-season struggles into championship-winning campaigns. Verstappen remains a formidable force behind the wheel, capable of extracting performance from even the most difficult cars. But with the competition fiercer than ever and the RB21 showing worrying signs of instability, 2025 could be Red Bull’s toughest challenge yet. The Australian Grand Prix will serve as the first true test of their resilience—and a potential indicator of whether they can reclaim their dominant form or if a new era in Formula 1 is about to begin.

As the season looms, fans and analysts alike are left wondering: will Red Bull solve their “alarming” RB21 issues in time, or are we on the cusp of a seismic shift in the F1 pecking order? The answers are just around the corner, but one thing is certain—Melbourne is set to deliver drama in spades.