Is this the end of Red Bull Racing in Formula 1?

Max Verstappen claimed his fourth world title, pulling off another master-class season with Red Bull. The Dutch driver silenced rumors regarding his departure by insisting his "loyalty" to the Milton Keynes-based team. However, could his departure mean the end of Red Bull Racing?

The 27-year-old driver highlighted the importance of keeping a professional profile throughout the season and not allowing the paddock drama to affect his drive. "It's very important to split your private life and racing life," shared the four-time World Champion, according to Racing News 365.

Dutch pundit Jeroen Bleekemolen warned mid-season, that the departure of key personnel and the possible exit of Max Verstappen could lead to Red Bull leaving F1 entirely.

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A major concern was the departure of legendary engineer Adrian Newey. As Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer, Newey has been instrumental in the team’s championship success. His exit in early 2025, along with the departures of Jonathan Wheatley and Will Courtenay, raised alarms.

All are said to have been picked up by other teams, as Red Bull program boss and key advisor Helmut Marko revealed to Austrian news outlet ORF, on the back of their success at Red Bull.

"That hurts, but if they leave for financial reasons, for career reasons, because you can’t keep up with the offers, then that’s the way it goes," the former driver and Red Bull boss told ORF.

But for Dutch driver and racing pundit Jeroen Bleekemole (pictured), the issue was a lot more serious than Marko was letting on.

"It is a tough top sport on all levels," Bleekemolen told the Formula 1 Paddock Talk podcast. "Other teams try to peddle those people and see who they can get."

"That is how all those teams eventually fell apart, look at Williams and McLaren," he said. "Maybe it will ultimately be the end of Red Bull in Formula 1... Not that they will pull the plug, but there is so much going on."

It's not just limited to those key staff members, either. Verstappen, Red Bull's star driver and three-time World Champion, also plays a crucial role in the team's future.

Following his fourth World Championship, Verstappen has highlighted his "loyalty" and his endless appreciation for the Red Bull team.

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Although Verstappen complained at different times about the performance of the Red Bull vehicle and voiced his issues with being in the F1 grind – especially when it came to being subjected to the FIA's scrutiny over the language used in voice coms.

"If everything falls apart, and Verstappen leaves, then it will be a lot worse in percentage terms [...] If they then drive in the midfield with the four cars they have and the other branch wants to focus more on another sport, then they could just leave Formula 1," Bleekemolen concluded.

Red Bull's shift into engine manufacturing with its Powertrains division adds another layer of uncertainty. The team faces stiff competition from established manufacturers like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda, and with Newey gone, the development of Red Bull's future cars is a major question mark.

In an interview with Motorsport-Magazin published on October 14, Marko himself revealed that the change in regulations would be disruptive to the entire field. He joked that Verstappen wouldn’t hang around long if things didn’t go Red Bull's way.

"... I don’t think Verstappen will still be in my office then, he’d be in a different car," Marko said, as reported by Motorsport-Magazin.

While the idea of Red Bull leaving F1 may seem far-fetched given their success, insiders like Marko and pundits such as Bleekemolen highlight that if things continue to unravel, the damage to the brand may be irreversible. After all, drivers like Verstappen are once-in-a-generation finds.

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