Angry Red Bull fans demand Christian Horner action after Max Verstappen’s poor qualifying at the Bahrain Grand Prix

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Red Bull Racing are in their weakest position in years, and it doesn’t look like a solution is on the immediate horizon.

Max Verstappen will start the Bahrain Grand Prix from seventh, while his newest teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, managed to break into the top 10 for the first time but was still some way off the pace of the Dutchman.

Verstappen is still very much in contention to win the drivers’ championship, even if he no longer thinks he has a chance of winning a fifth consecutive title.

He was very downbeat after qualifying, and unlike in Japan when three difficult practice sessions led into a phenomenal pole position lap, he wasn’t able to produce another magic moment on Saturday afternoon.

It leaves team principal Christian Horner in a very difficult position.

Verstappen wasn’t happy that Liam Lawson was dropped for Tsunoda, a decision Horner oversaw, and it’s been clear since the middle of last season that Red Bull have been struggling with the development of their car.

The team’s fans are beginning to get fed up, and Horner’s latest statement on social media hasn’t helped matters.

READ MORE: Know all about Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with net worth to wife

Angry Red Bull fans demand car improvements after Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying

Horner took to Instagram after Saturday’s action in Bahrain and explained: “Yuki made some good progress from practice and step by step is finding more pace in the car. He did a good job to make Q3.

“Max struggled with balance and, as he said, was fighting through most of quali. But, the positive is, both cars made it into Q3. It feels like some time since we have been able to say that.

“We would like to be higher up the grid than P7 and P10, but as is the case this season, it’s close, and we have an opportunity to race well from our starting positions tomorrow.”

The comments underneath Horner’s post weren’t particularly positive, with one fan stating, “Max doesn’t look so happy.”

Another comment said, “The positive is both cars making it to Q3?! What’s happened to this team, seriously?”

“We finally have 2 drivers now, let’s fix the car,” one fan demanded, while another said, “Fix this car, Christian! Max deserves his 5th title, and RBR deserves to be at least in the top 2 of the constructors!”

One fan was upset with the tone of Horner’s message and said, “Seriously? Both cars made it to Q3 is a bit of a low bar.”

Another fan summed up how Red Bull’s supporters were feeling very well and explained, “Max: ‘We throw the set-up around every weekend, and nothing gives us a direction.’

“How much clearer do we want Max to be that he hates this car and has no confidence that the team will fix it? Something is fundamentally wrong at the factory.

“Why haven’t you stopped this decline, which has been going on for a year? If you don’t, then Max will walk away.”

However, it wasn’t all negative, with one comment reading, “All to race for. Both cars Q3, that’s a significant positive. All to race for. A mixed-up grid with difficult conditions in Bahrain. Keep fighting, Christian, and never give up.”

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Max Verstappen’s complaints have to be taken seriously by Red Bull

Verstappen’s contract situation will have Red Bull on red alert, as despite his deal running out in 2028, there are ways he can get out early if he wishes.

The 27-year-old was heard consistently complaining about the RB21’s brakes throughout practice and qualifying.

Marc Priestley heard an unusual complaint from Verstappen during Saturday’s running, and while it would be a surprise if he didn’t make progress during Sunday’s race, he’s got his work cut out trying to keep up with both McLarens both in Bahrain and in the drivers’ championship.

Verstappen has an edge over both McLaren drivers as Red Bull are happy to back him as their number one driver.

However, if he doesn’t have a car that can even get close to Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris, then that advantage quickly dissipates.