The 2025 Formula 1 season has taken a dramatic turn as Red Bull’s championship hopes were declared "impossible" by senior advisor Helmut Marko. Following a disappointing result at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen now trails the Drivers’ Championship leader by a staggering 97 points as F1 heads into its summer break.

Hungarian GP: A Low Point for Verstappen and Red Bull

Verstappen’s ninth-place finish at the Hungaroring marks only the second time in 65 races that he’s finished outside the top six. The Dutch driver struggled throughout the race, ultimately finishing 72 seconds behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, who led the team’s seventh one-two of the season. The result reflects Red Bull’s ongoing issues, with tyre degradation and lack of pace hampering their chances.

• Verstappen now 97 points behind the championship leader
• Red Bull’s tyre issues not specific to the Hungarian circuit
• McLaren holds more than double the points of any rival

Marko: "Impossible" for Red Bull to Challenge for the 2025 Title

Helmut Marko was candid in his assessment post-race. When asked about Red Bull’s title prospects, he said bluntly, “It’s impossible, clearly.” Marko highlighted the team’s inferior race pace and strategic missteps, noting that even a more aggressive one-stop strategy would have only yielded a fifth or sixth place at best. He confirmed ongoing tyre problems, stating, “The first stops, the tyres were gone. We thought we could overtake after the second stop, but the speed just wasn’t there.”

Verstappen Under FIA Investigation

Adding to Red Bull’s woes, Verstappen faces an FIA investigation following a controversial move on Lewis Hamilton at Turn 4. Verstappen, confused by the scrutiny, simply remarked, “I don’t understand it.” As the team regroups over the four-week summer break, the investigation casts a further shadow over their already troubled campaign.

McLaren’s Surge and Red Bull’s Struggles

McLaren’s relentless form has seen Norris close to within nine points of teammate Oscar Piastri in the Drivers’ standings. With over double the points of any rival, McLaren’s run of dominance leaves little hope for other challengers. Red Bull’s attention now shifts to diagnosing their tyre issues and regrouping for the remainder of the season.

What’s Next for Red Bull?

The F1 circus resumes at Zandvoort after the summer break, but with Verstappen confirmed at Red Bull for 2026 and the team’s title hopes all but gone for 2025, fans are left wondering how the team will respond. Red Bull’s focus may already be shifting towards development for the 2026 regulations, hoping to recapture their form in the next era of Formula 1.