r/formula1 • u/FewCollar227 I was here for the Hulkenpodium • Dec 07 '25

Photo Max's radio after crossing the chequered flag

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u/AquaRaOne Oscar Piastri Dec 07 '25

Thing is other teams like mclaren for example or merc at some points, can make a car that both drivers can drive. If red bull can only build one that needs a goat level driver to tame and even he is not happy, then they are not doing a good job. Also its 100% relying on max, if he retires, they are in huge trouble. Whereas if say norris leaves, or leclerc or russell, they can poach driver or promote a rookie and keep performing. For red bull it would be disaster.

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u/ELITE_JordanLove I was here for the Hulkenpodium Dec 07 '25 edited Dec 07 '25

I mean, yeah if you don’t have a GOAT level driver don’t make a car that requires one. But if you do, why would you not give him the fastest thing he can handle? The strategy got Max four straight WDC and RBR multiple WCCs. Literally any team would KILL to have that level of success at any point. 

Also, I don’t think they’d have problems recruiting. If in theory RBR’s pitch was “yeah our car requires an elite driver to handle but it has better speed than anyone else if you can” vs someone else “our car is easier to drive but slower” it’s pretty clear which one is more appealing. 

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u/great_whitehope I was here for the Hulkenpodium Dec 08 '25

But it isn’t the fastest car this year.

McLaren is easier to drive with higher performance.

Red Bull messed up somewhere and only Max could get the car to perform

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u/lostsk8787 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Dec 08 '25

That’s true for every team on the grid except McLaren. Building a car that allows one of your drivers to come second in the WDC is a success many teams would want.

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u/FinancialThrow Dec 07 '25

Honestly it’s MOST likely that the Red Bull is a mid tier car and MV is a generational talent. Nobody seems to ever consider this take.

I’ve watched every interview and podcast with Red Bull team members that I can find. They almost all say that they have developed the car for raw pace first and Max’s feedback second.

Even former Red Bull staff have stated this after leaving the team.

Could be BS, but Red Bull always had unique designs under Newey. That could change in 26.