Red Bull Formula 1 team appears to be experiencing tension within, as debate continues about who will partner Max Verstappen during the 2025 season. Two key figures within Red Bull, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, appear to hold differing perspectives about who should partner Max in 2025 and this may create major disruption within its decision-making processes.
The Impact of Red Bull’s Leadership Disagreement
Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have played an influential role in shaping Red Bull’s strategic decisions – such as driver selection – for over 20 years, often through negotiations to find common ground on differences of opinion between themselves. While their partnership had historically managed to bridge disagreements amicably, recent events suggest an alteration to their partnership dynamics: for instance a disagreement regarding Nyck De Vries versus Daniel Ricciardo saw Ricciardo take an AlphaTauri seat midseason due to Horner’s preference despite differing opinions between themselves.
Recent times have seen Horner gaining more sway in driver decision-making, with Marko’s influence seemingly waning. This was evident when Horner’s insistence kept Daniel Ricciardo in his seat until the Singapore Grand Prix, contrary to what might have happened under Marko’s sole direction.
The Contenders: Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto
With Sergio Perez’s seat up for grabs, Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto have emerged as the primary candidates. Red Bull has expressed significant interest in Lawson, assessing his potential for the main team. Marko, in particular, favors Lawson for the 2025 lineup next to Verstappen, envisioning Colapinto to pair with Yuki Tsunoda in a secondary role.
However, Horner’s stance diverges notably, placing high value on Colapinto and contemplating a direct promotion to Red Bull, a move that would likely sideline Lawson and Tsunoda for another season. This scenario highlights the intricate web of decisions and preferences within Red Bull’s management.
Anticipating the Outcome
Red Bull’s deliberations reflect its overall goal of building the most competitive driver lineup possible, while Colapinto may appear as a key priority given his impressive debut season, the implications of these decisions go much farther beyond individual consideration. Red Bull’s driver academy ensures that not everyone involved will come away feeling fulfilled from this experience, amid fierce competition between teams over top talent such as Colapinto.
As this saga plays out, one thing remains certain – Red Bull’s decision-making remains unpredictable and closely scrutinised, while various factors remain at work within driver markets.