"The team led by Christian Horner would not have waved the white flag this easily": Fans react as Red Bull's strategy comes under the scanner

Red Bull’s approach to the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix drew sharp reactions from fans after Max Verstappen executed a simple, no-risk strategy on his way to victory. The team kept their race plan tight and predictable even as the Drivers’ Championship fight between Lando Norris, Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri reached its final round.

The controlled execution helped Verstappen win the race, but he lost the title to Norris. Many supporters questioned whether the team should have pushed harder given the narrow point spread. F1 posted the championship result on X:

"LANDO NORRIS IS THE 2025 FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPION!!!! 🏆"

Red Bull started on mediums and pitted on Lap 23 for hards in what was a predictable one-stop strategy. Norris made two stops with the final one coming on Lap 41, and protected his P3 place for most of the night.

One fan summed up the mood online and wrote on X:

"Dare I say... the team led by Christian Horner would not have waved the white flag this easily"

Across social media platforms, many supporters voiced frustration. They felt Red Bull played the race too safely, especially with Norris managing pressure from Ferrari and traffic without falling outside the critical top three. Other fans echoed the sentiment, replying to F1's post.

"Some people will miss him today"

"We just saw 2021 happening again right in front of our eyes"

Verstappen crossed the line first, with Piastri following in second. Lando Norris finished third and secured the 2025 Drivers’ Championship by just two points, the smallest title gap in several seasons. The final result highlighted how narrow the margins were and intensified the debate around RB’s choices.

Lando Norris wins the title, and Red Bull wins the race in a straightforward Abu Dhabi GP

2025 F1 World Drivers Champion Lando Norris after the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi. Source: Getty

As the weekend began, Max Verstappen needed both a win and Norris to finish P4 or below to clinch a fifth consecutive title. Red Bull kept the focus on track position and clean air, protecting Verstappen from major risks. Despite that effort, Norris secured the podium he needed and sealed the championship, leaving Verstappen two points short at the top of the standings.

The title picture was unusually tight heading into Yas Marina. Verstappen had trimmed a 100-point deficit to Norris and erased Piastri’s advantage through five wins in the last eight races. With only 12 points separating the top two, Red Bull relied on a straightforward tire sequence and strong out-lap pace rather than aggressive undercuts or split calls.

The final standings show the weight of every small decision across the season, not only in the finale. For fans, the debate over whether Red Bull should have pushed harder is likely to remain a central talking point long after the 2025 season ends.

Edited by Mitali