Christian Horner, the manager of Red Bull Formula 1, has disclosed the minimal requirements his drivers must fulfil in order to compete for the team.
His remarks follow the team’s difficult start to the 2025 season, which included yet another disappointing weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Mercedes’ George Russell defeated the Dutchman after finishing one position ahead in third place, and defending drivers’ champion Max Verstappen failed to put up a strong fight against title contenders Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who gave McLaren a one-two in Shanghai.
Liam Lawson, Verstappen’s new teammate, suffered much more as he started the day at the rear of the grid and was unable to finish in the points.
There was also more misery for Verstappen’s new team-mate, Liam Lawson, who failed to finish in the points having started the day from the back of the grid.
The Kiwi crashed out of the season-opening race in Melbourne the previous week, and speculation is mounting that he could be replaced by Yuki Tsunoda for next weekend’s Japan GP.
Lawson is the latest in a long line of drivers who have struggled to keep up with team’s star man, including Sergio Perez, who was dismissed at the end of last season following a dismal run of results.
Before then, neither Alex Albon or Pierre Gasly were able to hang on to their seat having been given the opportunity to race alongside the four-time champion.
History suggests those tasked with matching Verstappen’s high standards haven’t been up to the task, and with the 27-year-old already regarded as one of the best to ever get behind the wheel, the Milton Keynes-based squad must ensure he remains the top priority.
Speaking to media after Sunday’s race in Shanghai, Horner insisted that if the team are to have any chance of enjoying a positive campaign, both racers must be scoring big points on a regular basis – even if only one can be a realistic challenger for the drivers’ title.
He said: “You have to have two cars scoring, that obviously hurt us badly last year. We have to have two cars in there, and even to compete for the drivers’, you’ve got to have another car in play.
“It’s vitally important for the team to ensure that we have both drivers running as close to the front as we can.”
Red Bull already trail McLaren by 38 points after just two rounds, and Horner admits their chances of catching last year’s winners appear slim.
“Look, you never say never,” Horner said after being asked if they were out of contention for the constructors’ championship.
“I think the one thing McLaren proved to everybody last year is you can have a troubled start to the year but still be very competitive. We’re eight points behind in the drivers’.
“The [teams’] championship is a very tough ask, and we need to make significant progress with the car in order to even challenge for that.”
Horner’s attention is now firmly on Suzuka next weekend as he looks to find a way to kickstart the team’s faltering season.
