Red Bull have started to make some inroads on their Formula 1 rivals at the front of the pack in recent races.

Finally, their car is starting to resemble something of a machine with title-winning potential for Max Verstappen as he chases a fifth in succession.

He would become the only driver other than Michael Schumacher to achieve such a feat, but first, he needs Red Bull to ensure that he remains competitive throughout the season.

He’s currently third in the drivers’ championship, but an incoming technical directive for the Spanish Grand Prix may be about to turn the tide.

McLaren have ‘yet another’ advantage over Verstappen with bigger cooling louvres that might help them in the warm Spanish climate. It’s a demanding, high-speed and hot track at this time of year.

However, Red Bull are ‘really not convinced’ by McLaren and their upgrade path. They don’t want to believe a word that they say.

Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images

Red Bull face a ‘harder’ time than McLaren with incoming Spanish Grand Prix technical directive

Fernando Alonso has backed Verstappen for a fifth championship, but his biggest nightmare might just be around the corner.

Just after upgrades in Imola helped to make his car a little better, he might be about to come crashing back down to earth at the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya.

According to The Race’s expert, Gary Anderson, the incoming technical directive, which will enforce more stringent tests on the flexibility of front wings, will hurt Red Bull’s ability to set their car up.

“I don’t think this change in front wing deflection will do Red Bull any favours. It might just make the car a bit harder to get balanced,” he said.

Verstappen’s troubling Monaco Grand Prix data showed that they struggled in slower corners. They cannot afford to be hit even further in that area.

It may mean that upgrades become vital for them over the next few races, just to maintain where they currently lie in the pecking order.

Why the Spanish Grand Prix could be make-or-break for Max Verstappen’s 2025 F1 title hopes

If the technical directive ends up negatively impacting Red Bull at all, it could be dire for their hopes of another title.

McLaren already have a good advantage, and solidifying that might leave Verstappen with far too much to do on his own. Not having a capable teammate is hurting his chances too.

Verstappen has one limited issue with Red Bull’s car, struggling from a lack of mechanical grip, which hurts him, particularly in low-speed corners.

If things carry on as they have been, Verstappen may need to copy one Hamilton career decision and jump ship to another team in time for the 2026 F1 regulations.