In the fast-paced world of Formula 1, where every millisecond counts and ambitions collide with reality, Red Bull Racing has taken a shocking turn that puts the future of champion Max Verstappen in question. Technical director Pierre Waché, the man behind the team’s innovations, recently ended the hope for a harmonious collaboration between Verstappen and his new teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Waché’s statement that the RB21 car will not be ‘softened’ to better suit lesser drivers, but will instead continue to focus on top-level performance, has caused a wave of controversy. It’s a decision that reveals Red Bull’s untapped potential: a car that can dominate, but at the expense of team dynamics and possibly the loyalty of its star player.

The RB21, the car that Red Bull put on the track in 2025, marks a new era for the team from Milton Keynes. For the first time without the legendary Adrian Newey as a designer, Waché took full responsibility for the design and production. The car promised a revolution: a machine that can compete at the highest level with the McLaren MCL39, which distributes the sheets this season. With updates such as an advanced floor and a front wing that debuted in Singapore, the RB21 has proven that the potential is there. Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, already scored four wins, nine podiums and six pole positions. In races such as Japan and Imola, the car showed its teeth, with Verstappen who triumphed sovereign despite the turbulence in the team.

Yet the RB21 is not an easy animal. From the outset, the car was struggling with a narrow performance star, sensitive to setup changes and problematic on cerbs and bumps. During the winter tests in Bahrain, Waché already admitted that the car “did not respond as we wanted”. Verstappen himself described the difference with his predecessor, the RB20, as a slightly better balance in the corner and the middle part, but complained about persistent issues with unevenness on the track. Even the ruling champion, known for its adaptive driving style, sometimes struggles with the whims of the car. In Silverstone, during varying grip conditions, a reduction in rear wing-downforce led to a higher top speed, but also to a loss of aerodynamic efficiency. It was a compromise that underlined the vulnerabilities of the RB21: a design philosophy that leans on Verstappen’s aggressive approach, but drives others in the wheels.

Here comes the core of the controversy. Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls, has a car that is easier to handle – a VCARB 02 that performs consistently without the extreme requirements of the RB21. Waché, in an exclusive conversation with Racingnews365, rejected every suggestion to take over elements from that car. “Max would not be happy,” he said sharp. “We don’t want to limit the potential of the RB21 to make it row for everyone. The goal is a championship champion, not an average machine.” These words cut deeply, especially for Tsunoda, who recently replaced Liam Lawson as Verstappen’s teammate. The Japanese, a talented driver with potential, qualified in his debut in Japan as fifteenth and finished twelfth, while Verstappen took and won pole. In Imola, Tsunoda crashed heavily, which led to a pit lane start, and he only dragged in one point. His feedback? Limited, according to Waché, who emphasized that two strong drivers are essential for development. “As a technical leader I need input from both,” said the Frenchman.

The implications for Verstappen are painful. The Dutchman, who already denied rumors about a departure, bears the burden of a car that is apparently tailor -made for him. With 187 of the 194 team points to his name this season, he easily surpasses his teammates – a pattern that goes back to his debut in 2015. But Waché’s choice to keep the RB21 sharp, aimed at Verstappen style, arouses the question: what if the champion fails? In Singapore, after a second place, Verstappen expressed frustration about braking and balance problems, calling that “everything worked against him”. The team missed a chance of pole due to turbulence of Lando Norris’ McLaren, and Waché admitted that they were too conservative in the setup. “We were not aggressive enough,” he said, what the unused potential emphasizes. Recent upgrades, such as in Monza and Baku, unleashed two dominant wins for Verstappen, and brought him back in the title race. But progress is due to better execution, not due to fundamental changes – a “other philosophy”, as Verstappen called it, which finally unlocks the true potential of the RB21.

This approach causes stir in the paddock. Helmut Marko, senior adviser to Red Bull, previously warned of Verstappens possible exit if the car does not remain winning. “If we don’t give him a championship car, he can leave,” he said in March, when the RB21 was still struggling in the opening races. Laurent Mekies, the new team boss, calls Verstappen “central” for the project, but the rumors continue to simmer. Tsunoda is under pressure; His struggles make him a weak link, and critics point out Red Bull’s history of dumping underperformers such as Sergio Pérez. The controversy flares up because Waché’s decision not only reveals team internal tensions, but also raises ethical questions: is Formula 1 a team sport, or a one-man show? McLaren, with their harmonious duo Norris and Piastri, reap the benefits of balance, while Red Bull’s Focus on Excellency leads to isolation.

Yet there is hope. With the shutdown period behind us, Red Bull is working on targeted improvements for the RB21, focusing on downforce across the entire range. In Singapore the car tested successfully in high-downforce configurations, and Mekies praised the progress. Verstappen, ever the pragmatist, debunked theories that the car was built just for him: “I adapt, but it is not ideal.” His recent P2 in Singapore, despite tire choices and setup mistakes, shows resilience. But the painful reality remains: Waché’s choices end the illusion of equality in the team, forcing Verstappen into a solitary battle.

Red Bull’s untapped potential hangs like a sword of Damocles. The RB21 can compete at the highest level, but at the expense of cohesion. If the controversy escalates, it could spell the end of Verstappen’s glorious era with the team. In a sport where loyalty is fragile, Red Bull must choose: excellence for one, or potential for many? The track will judge, but for now the paddock is buzzing with speculation.