Red Bull Racing entered emergency talks after Max Verstappen struggled to a sixth-place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix, raising concerns about the team’s car performance and overall direction. Meanwhile, Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton found fresh reasons for hope as they showed progress during the same race weekend.
Red Bull Admits Serious Flaws After Verstappen’s Poor Finish
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner confirmed the team is facing major performance issues. Bahrain exposed weaknesses in the car that had previously been hidden through strategic setup at other tracks like Suzuka.
“We understand the issues. The challenge now is implementing solutions—and that will take time,” Horner stated.
Verstappen, a three-time world champion, expressed clear frustration. “Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong,” he told reporters after the race.
Red Bull’s technical leaders, including Pierre Waché (Technical Director), Paul Monaghan (Chief Engineer), and Helmut Marko (Senior Advisor), joined Horner in urgent strategy sessions. Marko described the situation as “very alarming,” adding, “The concern is great.”
Tensions are reportedly rising behind the scenes. Sky Sports reported a heated exchange between Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen and Helmut Marko in the Red Bull garage post-race. With Verstappen holding a performance clause in his contract, continued struggles could open the door for an early departure from the team.
Ferrari Sees Light with Hamilton’s Progress
In contrast to Red Bull’s troubles, Ferrari showed notable improvement. Lewis Hamilton secured a fifth-place finish—his best result since joining the team from Mercedes.
“I think I’ve figured out how the car likes to drive,” Hamilton said. “I learned more this weekend than the others combined. If I can qualify better next week, I’ll be in a much stronger position.”
Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc finished just ahead in fourth place, marking Ferrari’s best combined result of the season so far.
Patience Paying Off for Ferrari, Says Vasseur
Ferrari team boss Frédéric Vasseur praised the steady progress made by the team and their new lead driver.
“Lewis is adapting to us, and we’re adapting to him,” Vasseur said. “The key is calm, continuous improvement. The goal is always to do a better job—by hundredths of a second.”
He added that expecting Hamilton to adjust quickly after 12 years with Mercedes was unrealistic, but emphasized that growth was already visible.
“We’ve had ups and downs before. We stayed calm and came back strong. We can do it again.”
McLaren Victory Adds Pressure as Title Race Heats Up
While Red Bull faced difficulties, McLaren and Oscar Piastri surged ahead with a dominant victory in Bahrain. This win increased pressure on Red Bull to deliver fast improvements before rivals gain more ground.
Ferrari and Mercedes, meanwhile, are quietly closing the gap. With Hamilton growing more comfortable and Leclerc consistently finishing near the top, Ferrari is gaining traction at a key point in the season.
Verstappen’s Future in Question?
The current performance dip has triggered more than just technical concern at Red Bull. Verstappen’s contract reportedly includes a clause that allows for early exit if the team fails to stay competitive. Although no formal talks have surfaced, insiders suggest that ongoing struggles could lead to further internal strain.
If Red Bull cannot reverse its current trajectory, Verstappen may consider options beyond 2025, especially if Ferrari or Mercedes continue their upward trends.
The next few races are expected to be decisive for Red Bull. If the team fails to find performance gains quickly, both the title race and driver loyalty could shift dramatically.
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s calm and focused approach, paired with Hamilton’s increasing confidence, signals a potential turning point in their season.