Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen has dramatically re-entered the fight for the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship, and much of this resurgence appears to be influenced by strategies pioneered by Ferrari.
With only five races remaining in the 2025 F1 season, the drivers’ championship remains intensely competitive. Oscar Piastri continues to lead the standings ahead of his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, yet Verstappen is rapidly closing the gap. Observers note that Red Bull’s RB21 now shows performance levels comparable to McLaren’s MCL39, despite McLaren having already secured the constructors’ championship with six rounds to spare.
Since Christian Horner’s departure, Red Bull’s operational approach has shifted under the guidance of new team principal Laurent Mekies. The former Ferrari deputy team principal has modestly avoided claiming direct credit for the team’s progress, but insiders highlight a clear transformation in race weekend preparation and car development philosophy.
Max Verstappen now consistently demonstrates greater competitiveness from the start of each race weekend, and even teammate Yuki Tsunoda has scored points in three of the last five Grands Prix. Analysts suggest that Red Bull’s recent uptick in performance may be tied to adopting methodologies that have long been associated with Ferrari, particularly their simulator-centric race weekend preparation.
Red Bull adopts Ferrari’s simulator-first approach to race weekends
According to reports from the Italian media, Red Bull has been increasingly relying on simulator data to define their race setups, mirroring Ferrari’s successful strategy. While Red Bull has traditionally excelled in optimizing the car from FP1 through qualifying, the team now emphasizes a simulator-informed baseline prior to the first session, which allows them to make precise, targeted adjustments based on driver feedback.
Sources suggest that this Ferrari-inspired methodology began with Ferrari’s introduction of a new floor, which allowed the Scuderia to optimize car setup well before the first practice. Red Bull is reportedly applying the same principles across every remaining race weekend, ensuring Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda begin FP1 with a more refined, performance-oriented starting point. This approach gives Red Bull a competitive advantage by extracting maximum potential from their drivers and car setup from the outset.
Laurent Mekies has acknowledged Verstappen’s exceptional technical understanding of the car, which has enabled the team to leverage the simulator data more effectively. This synergy between Verstappen’s input and the engineers’ analysis has allowed Red Bull to fully exploit the RB21’s capabilities, turning the Dutch driver’s natural speed into tangible race results.
Max Verstappen’s leadership on track is pivotal to Red Bull’s title hopes
Since Laurent Mekies assumed leadership, Verstappen has taken on increased responsibility within the team, demonstrating strategic decision-making that directly impacts race outcomes. At the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen reportedly ignored alternative setup advice from Pierre Wache, instead making changes that ultimately led to a race victory. This level of driver autonomy mirrors the influence Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have historically exerted over team decisions, despite Max Verstappen being significantly younger than both F1 champions.
Former Ferrari engineer Laurent Mekies’ experience with the Scuderia appears to have influenced Red Bull’s adaptation of Ferrari-style preparation techniques. Ferrari’s success in optimizing FP1 sessions for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc illustrates the effectiveness of a simulator-first approach combined with precise technical feedback. By applying these lessons, Red Bull can now maintain high performance from initial practice through qualifying and into the race itself.
The RB21’s improved reliability and pace ensure that Verstappen can capitalize on these strategic adjustments consistently, making him a genuine contender for the 2025 championship. Red Bull’s willingness to fully back Verstappen’s race decisions, coupled with Ferrari-inspired preparation methods, positions the team to challenge McLaren’s current dominance and keep Max Verstappen in the title fight until the season finale.
In conclusion, Ferrari’s influence on Red Bull’s operational strategy highlights how innovation and cross-team learning can shape the dynamics of Formula 1. The Dutch driver’s combination of technical acumen, strategic insight, and Red Bull’s enhanced simulator-driven approach makes the four-time world champion one of the most formidable contenders on the grid in 2025.
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