If one statistic sums up the current state of Formula 1, it’s this: since the Imola Grand Prix in 2024, Max Verstappen has scored 488 points on his own, while the rest of Red Bull Racing has only managed 56.
This isn’t just a small gap—it’s the difference between being a front-running team and being buried in the midfield. Verstappen has single-handedly kept Red Bull competitive at the sharp end of the grid while his teammates have struggled, and the numbers highlight just how much the reigning world champion has carried his team through its slump.
The Points Breakdown
Here’s a look at the total points scored by each team since Imola 2024, alongside Verstappen’s personal contribution:
| Team/Driver | Points Since Imola 2024 |
|---|---|
| McLaren | 1181 |
| Ferrari | 725 |
| Mercedes | 640 |
| Max Verstappen | 488 |
| Aston Martin | 184 |
| Williams | 87 |
| Haas | 86 |
| Alpine | 84 |
| Racing Bulls | 72 |
| Red Bull (ex Verstappen) | 56 |
| Kick Sauber | 55 |
When isolated like this, the numbers are jaw-dropping. Verstappen on his own has outscored every team outside the top three and nearly quadrupled Red Bull’s tally without him. If you stripped away his results, Red Bull would be fighting with the likes of Williams, Haas, and Alpine—not battling for race wins.
Why the Gap Is So Huge
1. Pérez’s Struggles
Sergio Pérez, who partnered Verstappen until mid-2025, endured one of the most difficult stretches of his career. Poor qualifying results, inconsistent race pace, and mistakes under pressure saw him regularly finish outside the points.
2. An Unforgiving Car
The RB20 and RB21 have been described as “knife-edge” machines. In Verstappen’s hands, they’re race winners. But for his teammates, the cars have proven almost undriveable—exposing a massive gulf in adaptability and skill.
3. Increased Competition
McLaren’s dominance with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, Mercedes’ resurgence, and Ferrari’s steady presence have made the front of the grid more competitive than ever. This left no margin for error—if a Red Bull wasn’t near-perfect, it dropped out of the points.
4. Confidence Spiral
The pressure of driving alongside Verstappen has weighed heavily on teammates. Each poor result made the next weekend harder, creating a cycle of underperformance that never got broken.
Verstappen’s Consistency
While Red Bull struggled, Verstappen simply carried on delivering. Since Imola 2024:
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He has rarely finished outside the top five, often dragging the car into podium contention.
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His racecraft and tire management have turned tricky races into big points hauls.
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He has shown the ability to adapt to every circuit and condition, even when Red Bull wasn’t the fastest car.
Verstappen’s 488 points don’t just represent raw speed—they showcase his extraordinary consistency and mental resilience.
Comparisons with Other Teams
The contrast is even clearer when comparing Verstappen’s haul to whole teams:
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McLaren may be the clear leaders on 1181 points, but Verstappen alone has outscored Ferrari’s entire second driver line-up and sits closer to Mercedes’ team tally than Red Bull without him.
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Verstappen has more points than Aston Martin, Williams, Haas, Alpine, Racing Bulls, Red Bull (ex him), and Kick Sauber combined (488 vs 524).
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Without Verstappen, Red Bull would be languishing ninth in the constructors’ standings, ahead of only Kick Sauber.
What Drivers Are Saying
Even rivals have acknowledged Verstappen’s unique role in keeping Red Bull afloat.
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Lando Norris:
“Without Max, Red Bull wouldn’t even be in the fight. He’s carrying them right now. The fact he’s still winning races is unbelievable.”
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George Russell:
“It shows how good Max is. To consistently deliver like that, when the car clearly isn’t the same beast it was, is incredible.”
And Verstappen himself has admitted the pressure:
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Max Verstappen:
“Of course, we’re not where we want to be as a team, but I’m giving everything I can. The points are there, but we need both cars up at the front if we’re going to fight properly.”
What It Means for Red Bull’s Future
The situation raises serious questions for Red Bull. With Christian Horner gone, Laurent Mekies stepping in, and uncertainty about who will occupy the second seat, the team cannot rely on Verstappen forever.
The numbers make clear that Red Bull’s constructors’ championship hopes are unsustainable with one driver doing all the heavy lifting. Without a reliable teammate to back Verstappen up, Red Bull risks being permanently overtaken by McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
Final Thoughts
Since Imola 2024, Max Verstappen hasn’t just been Red Bull’s star—he has been their entire championship campaign. His 488 points tower over the team’s meagre 56 without him, exposing just how much he has carried the Milton Keynes outfit through its struggles.
Verstappen is keeping Red Bull relevant, but the team must urgently solve its second-seat crisis. Otherwise, the Dutchman’s brilliance will only mask deeper cracks, and Red Bull’s future at the top of Formula 1 will remain under threat.
