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Max Verstappen’s Bahrain Grand Prix showed just how much danger Red Bull may be in for the rest of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The Dutchman fell from second to third in the drivers’ championship after a lowly sixth-place finish at the Sakhir circuit.
Verstappen knew that his team would be off the pace this season, but not to the tune of being fifth or sixth fastest at some tracks.
Red Bull have little time to get their act together after that Bahrain Grand Prix. Their next upgrades must be effective, or their star driver may start to look elsewhere for the future.
With the 2026 F1 regulations nearing, Verstappen could seek a Red Bull exit with rapidly decreasing faith in his team’s ability to turn their current situation around.
Red Bull held an intensive meeting after Verstappen’s complaints and dramatic changes may be on their way. They know that the summer break will arrive quickly.
Max Verstappen will be fuming with ‘seriously wrong’ Red Bull situation at the Bahrain Grand Prix
At one stage in the Bahrain Grand Prix, Verstappen rejoined the race in last place after a slow pitstop, triggered by an electrical issue.
When things settled down, he found himself ahead of Alpine’s Jack Doohan. The rookie was then able to close the gap to the reigning champion and get within DRS range.
That was in a car which hadn’t scored any points this season at that stage. Ronald Vording believes that something was very amidst about the situation.
“The most telling moment I thought when Jack Doohan was behind Max Verstappen, he closed a gap of three to a second and got into Verstappen’s DRS,” he said.
“With all due respect, but we are talking about Jack Doohan in an Alpine so that does indicate that something was seriously wrong at the same time.”
Why Max Verstappen will be unhappy with Red Bull’s 2025 F1 car
Battling an Alpine while chasing a fifth consecutive drivers’ title is less than ideal for Verstappen. Just one other driver (Michael Schumacher) has managed that feat before.
Red Bull made one change to their 2025 F1 car and changed brake suppliers over the winter. It may have affected their pace, but it won’t be the full explanation for it.
Regardless of how fantastic their rivals have been at developing their cars, the Milton Keynes-based outfit will have been expected to not let them get too far ahead.
Verstappen’s Red Bull get-out clause indicates that he can leave altogether, or wait until the end of 2026 after renegotiating a new contract.
That would allow him to assess who has the upper hand in the new regulations before committing to a project long-term.
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