Red Bull has "faded into irrelevance" amid performance struggles, says Ralf Schumacher

Ralf Schumacher has claimed that Red Bull has "faded into irrelevance" during the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The Milton Keynes outfit currently sits fourth in the constructors' standings with 194 points, 365 points behind championship leaders McLaren. The team has struggled with its second seat alongside four-time champion Max Verstappen, who has scored 187 of the team's points so far this year. 

Red Bull signed rookie Liam Lawson to replace Sergio Perez for 2025, but decided to demote him after two race weekends to bring Yuki Tsunoda in for his home race at Suzuka. The Japanese driver is continuing to adapt to the RB21, but it is anticipated that he will remain with the team at least until the end of the year. 

On top of the on-track challenges, Red Bull announced on 9 July that Christian Horner had been replaced as Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal by Laurent Mekies. While the reason for his replacement has not been formally confirmed, it is thought that a slew of key personnel exits contributed to it.

Verstappen was also linked to a potential move to Mercedes after Toto Wolff confirmed he was in talks with the Dutchman, but Verstappen has now confirmed that he will continue to drive for Red Bull in 2026.

Schumacher discussed Red Bull's season so far during the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, claiming that they were the "biggest disappointment."

“But if you look at the results now, you really have to say - and people won’t like me for saying this - the biggest disappointment from a team perspective has to be Red Bull," he said.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

"Sure, they started the season OK, but now they’ve really faded into irrelevance. And the low point was honestly Budapest.

“I can’t even remember the last time Max Verstappen - outside his time in Toro Rosso - was that far back.”

Verstappen started the Hungarian Grand Prix from eighth on the grid and crossed the line to finish in ninth, scoring just two points. In comparison, Tsunoda qualified 16th and finished the grand prix in 17th.