Red Bull Racing’s Christian Horner faces new pressures in 2025 as rivals close the gap. This pressure is compounded by the team’s shift in role from being the dominant force. Will the F1 mastermind maintain his team’s supremacy?
Introduction
Christian Horner, has served as the team principal of Red Bull Racing, enters 2025 facing his toughest test in years. After back-to-back championship wins, the Milton Keynes squad now contends with resurgent Ferrari and Mercedes teams. With new regulations looming and internal pressures mounting, can F1’s most successful current team boss deliver another title?
Red Bull’s 2025 Season So Far
Early races show cracks in Red Bull’s dominance:
- Two wins from first five Grands Prix (down from four in 2024)
- Ferrari outqualifying Red Bull at three circuits
- Verstappen vocal about RB21’s braking issues
“Nobody expected this fight to be so close,” Horner admitted to Sky Sports.
Regulation Changes & Rival Threats
The FIA’s 2025 tweaks have helped rivals:
- Revised floor rules hurt Red Bull’s cornering advantage
- Mercedes solving their porpoising issues
- Ferrari’s tire management improvements
Technical director Pierre Waché confirmed: “We’re playing catch-up on some fronts now.”
Internal Challenges
Behind the scenes:
- Newey’s reduced involvement raising questions
- Verstappen’s contract until 2028 includes performance clauses
- Cost cap restrictions limiting development
What’s Next for Horner?
With the summer development race approaching, Horner must:
- Fix RB21’s low-speed weakness
- Manage Verstappen’s expectations
- Outmaneuver rivals strategically
As Autosport notes: “This may be Horner’s greatest leadership test since 2014.”