Red Bull are gaining ground in the F1 championship battle, with team principal Christian Horner expressing confidence, thanks to recent upgrades.
The team’s recent upgrades have sparked a resurgence, positioning them as serious contenders against McLarens in the title fight.
At Imola, Max Verstappen delivered a commanding victory, outpacing McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to secure Red Bull’s second win of the 2025 season.
Verstappen’s triumph narrowed the gap to championship leader Piastri, who holds a 22-point advantage in the drivers’ standings. With one race win’s worth of points separating them, the title race is heating up.
Red Bull have faced challenges with their RB21 car this season, struggling to unlock consistent performance. However, upgrades introduced since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with further refinements in Miami and Imola, have transformed the car’s competitiveness.
Horner highlighted the progress, noting the team’s improved understanding of the car’s setup.
“We’ve added performance and found a better operating window for the car,” Horner said to media. “Once we eliminated the sliding, we managed temperatures much better, which was key. The pace we showed in the race was the strongest we’ve had in a dry grand prix in a long time, probably since Brazil last year.”
Horner pointed to McLaren’s impressive long-run pace during Friday practice at Imola but emphasized Red Bull’s ability to outperform them in the race. “To pull away and out-degrade McLarens was a big step,” he added.
“The team’s hard work is paying off, and we’re building momentum at a crucial point in the championship.”
The next challenge awaits at the iconic Monaco Grand Prix, set for 78 laps around the 3.337-kilometer street circuit on Sunday, May 25. With Red Bull hitting their stride, the stage is set for a thrilling battle in the principality as Verstappen aims to close the gap to Piastri and keep the team’s momentum rolling.
