The 2025 Formula 1 season has taken an unexpected turn with Max Verstappen’s official departure from Red Bull Racing. The decision, coming after a turbulent final Grand Prix of the season, has left the motorsport world in shock. Verstappen’s struggles to score even a single point during the last race, combined with his ongoing frustrations within the team, have ultimately led to his resignation. This dramatic move signifies the end of a partnership that once seemed destined for continued dominance, but now marks a new chapter in Verstappen’s career. The events leading to this drastic decision are multifaceted and will surely be the subject of discussion for months to come.

The Struggles in the Final Grand Prix
The final race of the 2025 season was supposed to be a celebration for Verstappen and Red Bull. The team had already secured the Constructors’ Championship, and Verstappen was in contention for his third consecutive Drivers’ Championship. However, what should have been a triumphant finish turned into an absolute disaster.

Max Verstappen, who had dominated most of the season, found himself struggling with his car’s performance in the last race. Despite his extensive experience and skill, he failed to secure even a single point—a catastrophic outcome for a driver of his caliber. The issues were not limited to his driving but stemmed from a combination of technical malfunctions and strategic errors from the team. These setbacks were compounded by tense radio exchanges with the engineers, which left Verstappen visibly frustrated.

Red Bull’s inability to fix the car’s underlying issues for this crucial race contributed to Verstappen’s lack of performance. Furthermore, the tensions between him and the team, especially with his teammate Sergio Perez, became more apparent. The team had long praised their harmonious dynamic, but Verstappen’s inability to secure even a finish in the points in the last Grand Prix exposed the rift that had been quietly growing beneath the surface.

A Strained Relationship with Sergio Perez
The departure of Verstappen from Red Bull also highlights the growing tension between him and his teammate, Sergio Perez. While Verstappen had enjoyed a successful partnership with Perez in previous seasons, the dynamic had shifted in 2025. The team’s emphasis on Verstappen’s success and dominance had left Perez increasingly sidelined, and the lack of clear communication between the two drivers became evident.

In the final race, Perez finished in a respectable position, securing points that Verstappen was unable to achieve. This stark contrast in performance further strained their relationship. It became clear that Verstappen felt increasingly isolated within the team, with Red Bull focusing all their efforts on supporting his title challenge at the expense of Perez’s results. For Perez, his growing frustrations were apparent as he increasingly found himself in the shadow of Verstappen’s immense talent and spotlight.

While Verstappen’s remarkable skill on the track had propelled Red Bull to its incredible successes, it was also clear that the team’s strategic decisions often revolved around his preferences, much to the detriment of Perez. The lack of balance within the team dynamics came to a head during the final Grand Prix, where Verstappen’s underperformance was juxtaposed with Perez’s strong finish, ultimately exacerbating tensions between the two drivers.

Team Red Bull: The Pressure to Maintain Dominance
As the season wore on, the pressure within the Red Bull team began to mount. The team’s ultimate goal was not only to win the Constructors’ Championship but also to secure a third consecutive Drivers’ Championship for Verstappen. This created a situation where every decision, every strategy, and every car setup was optimized for Verstappen’s success. Red Bull’s focus on Verstappen’s title bid meant that Perez’s needs were increasingly neglected, and the relationship between the two teammates became more strained.

On top of that, Verstappen himself began to show signs of dissatisfaction with his own performance and the team’s approach to the season. He voiced his displeasure over various technical issues and the team’s lack of adaptability in certain races. While Verstappen’s own performance on track was often exceptional, the issues that plagued his car during the last Grand Prix highlighted a lack of cohesion within the team.

The combination of Verstappen’s frustration, his inability to perform in the final race, and the palpable tension between him and his teammate contributed to the growing dissatisfaction that eventually led to his decision to part ways with Red Bull.