Former Formula E Driver Sam Bird Analyzes Red Bull Racing’s Situation
Sam Bird, a former Formula E driver and test driver for Mercedes in Formula 1, has analyzed the situation of Red Bull Racing and highlighted a major vulnerability for the team: the fact that they are a one-car team. Despite the recovery under the leadership of Laurent Mekies, who took over as team principal after Christian Horner’s departure, Bird believes that Red Bull will not be able to compete for the constructors’ title as long as this situation persists.
Mekies, who took over as team principal after the British Grand Prix, was instrumental in helping to improve the team’s performance, with strong decisions and a vital update to the RB21’s floor, which helped Max Verstappen reduce a 104-point deficit to Oscar Piastri and finish the season just two points behind champion Lando Norris. Despite this notable recovery in the drivers’ championship, Bird points out that Red Bull’s core problem remains.
“One thing about Red Bull, however, is that they are still a one-car team,” Bird stated on the BBC’s F1 Chequered Flag podcast. For him, the absence of a second driver capable of challenging Verstappen prevents the team from competing for the constructors’ title. “Unless Max Verstappen wins all the races, I don’t see how they can compete for the constructors’ title,” he said.
Limited Chances with Current Lineup
The arrival of Isack Hadjar to occupy the team’s second cockpit in 2026 may be an attempt to address this limitation, but Bird remains skeptical about Hadjar’s ability to meet the expectations placed upon him: “Let’s see what Hadjar can do next year, but for now, it’s a one-car team,” Bird concluded.
The situation highlights the challenges faced by Red Bull Racing in their bid to become a dominant force in the sport, and the need for a strong and consistent performance from both drivers to compete with other top teams. Bird’s comments emphasize the importance of having a well-rounded lineup, with two drivers capable of scoring points and challenging for wins, in order to succeed in the constructors’ championship.
