Formula 1 heads to Emola this weekend, and while the Italian track is legendary for on-track battles, it’s the off-track drama that has fans buzzing. Red Bull, under pressure and trailing McLaren by a shocking 141 points in the Constructors’ Championship, is about to take a huge risk: handing Max Verstappen an untested upgrade inspired by McLaren’s controversial brake design. At the same time, Yuki Tsunoda is falling worryingly short of expectations, and George Russell is left twisting in the wind as Toto Wolff waits for clarity on Verstappen’s future before offering a 2026 contract. Let’s unpack this high-stakes soap opera.
Red Bull’s “McLaren Copycat” Move
After being outpaced for most of the season, Red Bull is going all-in on a gamble. The RB21 has consistently fallen short of McLaren’s pace, especially in thermal tire management—a key factor in Verstappen’s 40-second loss to Oscar Piastri in Miami. Now, Red Bull is introducing its first major upgrade of the year at Emola, taking inspiration straight from the McLaren MCL39’s brake system.
Why the brakes? Engineers suspect McLaren’s design helps regulate tire temperatures more effectively, keeping their performance sharp over race distance. Red Bull’s solution: a redesigned brake disc layout and revised cooling ducts meant to mimic McLaren’s success.
Here’s the kicker—it hasn’t been tested. Red Bull is putting the new brakes directly on Verstappen’s car without any prior data, a rare move in the ultra-cautious world of F1. It’s a “leap of faith,” hoping this Hail Mary will turn the tide in the championship.
But as Verstappen himself has noted, brakes alone won’t fix everything. The RB21 still suffers from poor cornering balance, swinging from oversteer to understeer without warning. Chief Engineer Paul Monaghan even admits this issue might be “unfixable” in-season. So while the brake trick might help, it’s not a magic bullet.
Yuki Tsunoda: A Seat on Shaky Ground
Red Bull’s woes don’t stop with car performance. Driver Yuki Tsunoda, promoted to the senior team at the Japanese Grand Prix, is now under intense scrutiny. Since his promotion, Tsunoda has scored just 9 points compared to Verstappen’s 63. That’s a paltry 9.5% of his teammate’s haul—and most of those points came from others’ penalties in Miami.
Even by Red Bull’s historically low standards for their second seat (just ask Sergio Pérez or Pierre Gasly), Tsunoda’s stats are underwhelming. Dr. Helmut Marko, never one to mince words, is reportedly “concerned” about the performance gap. He’s also noted Tsunoda’s tendency to crack under pressure—something that was evident in Miami despite the fortunate result.
The clock is ticking. If Tsunoda doesn’t improve immediately, Red Bull may look elsewhere—especially if Liam Lawson continues to impress in junior categories.
George Russell’s Mercedes Future in Limbo
Meanwhile, over at Mercedes, George Russell is quietly putting together one of his best seasons. Four podiums, top-five finishes in every race, and currently fourth in the standings—yet his 2026 contract is still up in the air.
Why? Because Toto Wolff is playing a high-stakes waiting game. He’s holding out on Russell while waiting to see what Max Verstappen decides. Verstappen, although under contract with Red Bull until 2028, is rumored to be considering a switch—or even a sabbatical—due to frustration with the RB21.
Wolff has made it clear: no contracts before the summer break. That’s standard for Mercedes, but this time, the logic is clear. If Verstappen becomes available, Mercedes wants to pounce. As F1 Nation’s Lawrence Barretto put it, “Max controls the driver market. Everyone is just waiting on him.”
This puts Russell in an awkward position. Despite his loyalty and performance, he’s now a second choice. Even Martin Brundle noted the psychological pressure this delay could cause. Mercedes reportedly isn’t even willing to match the salary Russell is seeking—something comparable to Lando Norris at McLaren.
And if Verstappen does jump to Mercedes? Russell’s likely destination could be… Red Bull. Yes, the very team Verstappen might leave could be waiting to scoop up his replacement, making a bizarre de facto swap.
The Takeaway: Emola Is Just the Beginning
With Red Bull gambling on untested tech, Yuki Tsunoda fighting for his career, and George Russell potentially playing second fiddle to a man not even on his team, the 2025 F1 season is shaping up to be a political thriller as much as a motorsport championship.
The drama is real. The tension is rising. And as Emola looms, all eyes are not just on the track—but on the chess moves behind the scenes.
