Helmut Marko has attributed Max Verstappen’s spin during the 2025 British Grand Prix to costing Red Bull a possible podium finish. The incident occurred at the safety car restart on the wet Silverstone circuit, dropping Verstappen from the lead starting position down to tenth place, forcing the team into damage control. The Dutch driver ultimately finished fifth after a recovery drive, but the spin’s impact on the race outcome was significant.
Verstappen had secured pole position but lost ground due to the spin in tricky, damp conditions. Afterward, he explained the difficulty of handling Red Bull’s low-downforce rear wing setup, which was chosen to optimize qualifying performance but made the car unstable on cold tires in changing weather. Marko agreed with this assessment and noted that although Red Bull lacked the pace to beat McLaren, Verstappen might have still claimed third place without that error.
Once McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris changed to slick tires, their pace surged in the evolving weather, placing them in a different performance bracket. This shift highlighted Red Bull’s struggle to keep up under those conditions.
Helmut Marko on Red Bull’s Race Analysis and Verstappen’s Performance Issues
Reviewing the race in his Speedweek column, Marko detailed Red Bull’s strategic choices and the consequences of Verstappen’s spin. He pointed out that the car’s high top speed setup was expected to make overtaking difficult for rivals but was disadvantaged by the wet track and weather changes.
“With a high top speed thanks to this wing, it will be difficult for the McLaren to overtake Max. Unfortunately, everything turned out a little differently in terms of weather, and it was clear that we would have a hard time with this very special tuning on the wet track, Max then with a rare turner. We believe without this mishap, the Dutchman could have landed in 3rd place. After the race, we realized that we would not have had a chance against the McLaren even on a dry track, but a podium place should have been in it.” —Helmut Marko, Red Bull Advisor
“After the change to slicks, Piastri and Norris immediately drove very strong lap times, Max needed four laps until the tires were in the best working window. Then he could drive as fast as the McLaren, but in those four laps he lost almost ten seconds.” —Helmut Marko, Red Bull Advisor
Marko stressed that the crucial laps needed for Verstappen to find grip after the switch to slick tires caused a significant loss of time that effectively removed him from podium contention, even though his pace eventually matched McLaren’s once the tires reached optimal performance.
Anticipation and Challenges Ahead for Red Bull at Belgium and Hungary
Looking forward, Helmut Marko predicted a better competitive opportunity for Red Bull at the Belgian Grand Prix compared to Hungary. He attributed this expectation to the Spa-Francorchamps track layout, which suits Red Bull’s RB21 car characteristics more favorably, especially in typically unpredictable weather conditions. Conversely, the Hungaroring’s twisty design combined with hot temperatures is expected to pose difficulties for the team.
Marko remains cautiously optimistic as Red Bull plans to introduce upgrades to the RB21 for both the Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix. These improvements aim to address current vulnerabilities and enhance their competitive standing in the championships.
“We will soon have the GP weekend in sprint format in Belgium and then the Hungarian GP ahead of us. The race track of Spa-Francorchamps should be better suited to our car, especially under the normally very changeable weather conditions. We are optimistic about this. Hungary should be a little trickier for us because of the layout and because of the usually high temperatures. But we will have new parts on the car for both weekends and hope this will have a positive effect.” —Helmut Marko, Red Bull Advisor
The upcoming double-header represents a critical phase as Red Bull navigates a new era without long-time Team Principal Christian Horner, now replaced by Laurent Mekies. This leadership transition coincides with one of the team’s toughest seasons, intensifying the pressure to regain lost ground.
Current Championship Standings and Red Bull’s Race Outlook
Red Bull stands fourth in the Constructors’ Championship with 172 points, trailing the leading team McLaren by 288 points. In the Drivers’ Championship, Max Verstappen occupies third place with 165 points, behind both McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris by 69 and 61 points respectively. The performances at Belgium and Hungary will be pivotal for Red Bull as they strive to close the gap and contend for titles amidst increased competition and internal changes.
Given the mixed results so far, Verstappen’s Silverstone spin highlights the fine margins affecting Red Bull’s chances. The team’s ability to adapt and capitalize on upcoming car updates will likely determine whether they can sustain a championship challenge during these demanding races.