Red Bull are having a mixed season, which culminated in Max Verstappen clinching his fourth consecutive world championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Dutchman wasn’t very competitive at some race weekends but minimised the damage to finish in around the top five.
Verstappen also made very few errors, while his nearest rival, Lando Norris, made a catalogue of mistakes in his McLaren and halted his push for the title.
Red Bull were slower than McLaren at most races over the summer, but Norris failed to take full advantage. He made significant errors at Monza and at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, which gave Verstappen the upper hand.
The competition is likely to be more competitive in 2025 as Ferrari and McLaren have improved. Red Bulls simulator driver Rudy Van Buren told the RN365 NL podcast why Red Bull can’t continue hoping the Dutchman gets them out of trouble.
Rudy Van Buren explained Red Bull can’t rely on Max Verstappen if the performance gaps are the same next year
Red Bull have stuttered this season and are highly unlikely to retain the Constructors Championship after slumping to third behind McLaren and Ferrari.
The Austrian team have suffered a difficult stint as Sergio Perez has also been nowhere near his best as floundered in the midfield.
Verstappen has been able to salvage a good result such as at the British Grand Prix when he scored second place despite a difficult day.
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Verstappen won the Spanish Grand Prix which was a very difficult race to win as he had to defend from a hard-charging Norris.
Rudy Van Buren has been a hugely successful sim racer and simulator driver at Red Bull but feels they need a quick car rather than Verstappen getting them out of trouble.
He said: “It is clear that next year there really needs to be a big step taken because if you have these performances gaps from the start of the season then we can’t just rely on super Max in that respect also just needs a fast car you can’t keep this up for 24 races.”
Sergio Perez’s struggles can make life more difficult for Max Verstappen
Perez has struggled to maximise the Red Bull this season as it is very difficult to drive. The Mexican has consistently been behind Verstappen and hasn’t won a race this year.
He last scored a podium at the Chinese Grand Prix in April and is under significant pressure as his future is uncertain heading into 2025.
Perez’s lack of speed can make tricky for Verstappen as he is fighting against McLaren and Ferrari who each have two drivers capable of winning races.
This means Red Bull have less control at the front over a race distance, as their competitors can split strategies.
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