03/07/2025 10:10
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has highlighted how Red Bull would be
behind its second team, Racing Bulls, without Max Verstappen in the
RB21. To that end, the American claimed the four-time F1 drivers'
champion is "carrying" the Milton Keynes squad at the moment.
Whilst the Dutchman has, for the most part, continued to operate at
his best this F1 season, he has considerably outperformed his car.
Meanwhile, his team-mates have failed to reach the level expected
or required of them. After two dismal, pointless rounds, Liam
Lawson was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda, who has thus far not been a
much better return on investment for the six-time constructors'
champions. Verstappen has scored 155 points this year, but in the
nine rounds since stepping into the seat alongside him, the
Japanese driver has managed just seven. Currently fourth in the
constructors' standings, without the input of its lead driver, Red
Bull would be rooted to the foot of the table. Meanwhile, the
combination of Isack Hadjar and Lawson - not to mention three
points courtesy of Tsunoda - has led Racing Bulls to sixth at this
stage of the campaign, with 36 points. "Red Bull would be behind
Racing Bulls [without Verstappen]," Brown said to Sky Sports News
at McLaren Racing Live in London. "They have done a great job and
have a great racing car. I think Max is carrying them at the
moment." Not since 2008 has Red Bull's sister team beaten the main
squad in the constructors' standings. That was the same year
Sebastian Vettel won his maiden grand prix for Toro Rosso. The
Faenza-based operation finished the campaign with 39 points to Red
Bull's 29, and in sixth place to the latter's seventh. No smoke
without fire The challenging circumstances at Red Bull could push
Verstappen towards the exit, despite him being contracted to the
team until the end of the 2028 season. Brown also zeroed in on the
precarious nature of the situation between Verstappen and Red Bull,
arguing that the current rumours surrounding the driver and his
ties to Mercedes would not be gaining any traction if there was not
some truth behind it. Since George Russell confirmed at the
Austrian Grand Prix that the Brackley team was in discussions with
the 27-year-old, it has been the talk of the town in F1. In the
run-up to the British Grand Prix, speculation has progressed to
suggesting the talks have intensified between the two parties. "I'm
a believer of when there's smoke, there's fire. If everyone was
committed to their seats, that's what they would be saying," Brown
said. "The fact everyone's talking and no one is confirming
anything tells me there are conversations going on. I said a while
ago I wouldn't be surprised to see Max in a Mercedes."
