Helmut Marko might have accidentally uncovered why Red Bull don’t have the ‘best’ F1 car on the grid in 2025

Follow us on Google Discover

Red Bull are on a rollercoaster to start the 2025 Formula 1 season and their performance has been a confusing tale.

Max Verstappen has continued to produce at a very high level, and it’s why he even has a remote chance of securing a fifth consecutive drivers’ championship.

At the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, he had electric pace compared to the prior round in Suzuka, as his Red Bull car decided to perform well on a street circuit yet again.

With the 2026 F1 regulations fast-approaching, the Milton Keynes-based outfit must convince the reigning champion that they are capable of competing for victories and more in the future.

Verstappen could take a Red Bull sabbatical in 2026 if he isn’t convinced that they are going to be competitive, bringing an end to a 10-year tenure with the Austrian team.

The speculation is ramping up and already Verstappen was ‘fed up’ of one question in Saudi Arabia. He was constantly asked about what his next move might be.

READ MORE: Max Verstappen shares what he admires about Oscar Piastri after Saudi Arabian Grand Prix battle, ‘great to see…’

Helmut Marko reveals Red Bull were ‘surprised’ at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix performance

Verstappen was ‘most frustrated’ at Red Bull for not listening to him sooner about the car’s woes in the past.

Formula 1 journalist Ralf Bach has revealed what team advisor Helmut Marko said to him in the Middle East after a successful race.

“What he said, we were surprised ourselves at how well the car actually went and I said to them that’s exactly the problem – surprised. You don’t know why.

“And that would be the case in the future too and it really is a bit of a surprise. If Red Bull cannot know why you are slow or why you are fast and can react accordingly, then in that sense it is not the best car.”

Marko made a concerning admission about Red Bull’s 2026 F1 car and it won’t do their chances of keeping Verstappen much good. He thinks their engine may be down on horsepower.

READ MORE: Max Verstappen has one ‘not normal’ relationship at Red Bull that may help him win the 2025 F1 title

Helmut Marko hints that Red Bull made ‘big progress’ at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Five events into the season and at least two were very disappointing for Red Bull. Most strange is the fluctuation in their performance.

As indicated by Marko, being surprised isn’t always a good thing. It means that they’re not sure why their car is slow or fast.

Speaking after the race in Saudi Arabia, Marko told Motorsport.com that he feels progress had been made during the triple header.

“Compared to Bahrain, we made a big progress, but also this circuit suits us better – faster corners and so on,” he said.

“We are moving forward and getting a car which is more predictable and is also working in a wider range.”