Formula 1 has been shaken to its core after stunning revelations from the Las Vegas Grand Prix exposed a crisis unfolding inside Red Bull Racing — one that now threatens to destroy Max Verstappen’s championship hopes. The once-invincible champion delivered his most worrying admission yet: “We haven’t been good enough.” And with only three races remaining, he sits a staggering 49 points behind Lando Norris.
The nightmare began in Brazil, where both Verstappen and teammate Yuki Tsunoda suffered a shocking double elimination in Q1. It was a moment that left fans stunned and rivals emboldened. Red Bull responded with desperation, electing to change Verstappen’s engine and accepting a pit-lane start. But even Racing boss Lauron Mechis acknowledged the move was a misfire, calling it a “painful mistake” and openly admitting the team is now relying on guesswork to stay competitive.
Verstappen’s recovery to P3 did little to mask the deeper problems. Inside the garage, the confidence that once defined Red Bull has evaporated. Mechis confessed that the team “got it wrong”, an admission that confirms the growing belief that Red Bull has lost control of its development direction.
To make matters worse, McLaren principal Andrea Stella has questioned the legality of Red Bull’s engine switch, suggesting it could be scrutinized under cost-cap regulations if proven to offer a performance advantage. With the FIA already under pressure for transparency, any investigation could deliver another blow to a team already reeling from inconsistent performance.
The emotional toll on Verstappen is unmistakable. After years of dominance, he now faces a championship slipping away, a car that no longer obeys, and a rival — Lando Norris — in the form of his life. Red Bull’s empire, once untouchable, now looks fragile, uncertain, and dangerously close to collapse.
Fans are left wondering whether this is a brief stumble…
or the beginning of a dramatic fall from the top.
One thing is clear:
Las Vegas didn’t just expose Red Bull’s weaknesses — it may have changed the trajectory of the entire championship.
