Max Verstappen’s title chances in 2025 took a severe blow at the Spanish GP as he was hit with a 10-second time penalty for a collision with George Russell.
The Red Bull driver drove into the Brit at turn five after the safety car restart. The Dutchman was instructed to hand the position back after he ran off the track at turn one.
Karun Chandhok saw the moment Verstappen realised his mistake as there was no radio communications up until he let Russell back through. But the damage was already done as the 27-year-old was demoted to 10th and handed three penalty points to his FIA superlicence.
| Position | Drivers’ Championship | Points |
| 1 |
Oscar Piastri |
186 |
| 2 |
Lando Norris |
176 |
| 3 |
Max Verstappen |
137 |
| 4 |
George Russell |
111 |
| 5 |
Charles Leclerc |
94 |
| 6 |
Lewis Hamilton |
71 |
| 7 |
Andrea Kimi Antonelli |
48 |
| 8 |
Alexander Albon |
42 |
| 9 |
Isack Hadjar |
21 |
| 10 |
Esteban Ocon |
20 |
With Oscar Piastri claiming his fifth win of the season in Barcelona, Verstappen is now 49 points behind in the drivers’ standings. The Red Bull driver still has time to catch up and claim his fifth title, but McLaren’s advantage over the field makes it an uphill struggle.
The RB21 has been a difficult car to handle throughout the season, with Verstappen consistently complaining about its problems. With 2025 looking unlikely for the Dutchman to become champion, the team could soon turn their attention to 2026.
Helmut Marko says Red Bull will ‘shift entirely’ to 2026 if Max Verstappen is not in the 2025 title picture
The new regulations set in 2026 are set to transform the sport, with a focus on sustainability and electrical power. It presents a great opportunity for teams to propel themselves to the front of the grid.
Red Bull aced the ground effect era, giving Verstappen the tools to dominate the field. They have the chance to get the edge over their rivals next season, and Helmut Marko has now revealed when that focus will shift from 2025 to 2026.
Writing in his column for Speedweek, the Red Bull chief advisor says they will continue to develop the RB21 as long as Verstappen is in the title hunt. The ‘focus will shift entirely’ to 2026 after that.
“We’re working tirelessly on this and will continue to make small adjustments, but nothing major is planned. We’ve had some major updates in the past, such as a new underbody and new sidepods. But now it’s more about the details.
“We’ll continue developing as long as there’s a chance in the World Championship. After that, the focus will shift entirely to the 2026 project.
“We’re on track with our engines for 2026, but of course, we don’t know exactly what the competition is doing. In addition to the combustion engine, the battery also plays a crucial role. The energy input, i.e., the software involved, and the fuel are also important factors.
“With the battery, weight and cooling are also important. There’s already talk about who has the edge when it comes to engines. But that’s only really clear when you take it out on the track.”
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Red Bull must encourage Max Verstappen about 2026 amid exit rumours
As F1 heads towards 2026, Verstappen’s future with Red Bull remains uncertain. Despite being contracted until 2028, the Dutchman has been constantly linked with a move away from Milton Keynes amid his frustrations with the car.
Verstappen does not ‘trust’ Red Bull’s technical department because of the team’s problems in 2025. If the four-time champion is to stay with the team, they have to give him assurances that the 2026 car is competitive.
Mercedes and Aston Martin have been linked with the 27-year-old throughout the season, with the latter making a huge push to bring him on board.
Paddock rumours are suggesting that Aston Martin are preparing an ‘excuse’ to drop Lance Stroll and sign Verstappen; he may be tempted by the move if Red Bull’s woes persist.
