Christian Horner Addresses Red Bull’s Struggles and Hidden Issues Amid Bahrain GP Fallout
Red Bull Racing’s 2025 Formula 1 campaign has hit unexpected turbulence, prompting team principal Christian Horner to speak out following the Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite high expectations, the team has encountered a series of technical and operational setbacks that have raised questions about their dominance and internal dynamics. In a candid statement, Horner admitted that Red Bull has been grappling with multiple issues, some of which had remained hidden until the latest race in Bahrain.
So far this season, reigning World Champion Max Verstappen has only managed to claim a single race win, a stark contrast to his dominant form in previous years. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s second seat has continued to be a point of concern. Following the departure of Sergio Pérez, Yuki Tsunoda was promoted from sister team RB to fill the vacancy. While his integration into the main team is ongoing, his performances have shown only modest progress.
At the Bahrain Grand Prix, Tsunoda showed signs of improvement after a shaky debut by finishing in ninth place, earning his first championship points for the main team. However, Red Bull’s overall performance remained underwhelming. Verstappen, despite his talent and experience, could only finish sixth, a position uncharacteristically low for the three-time world champion. Notably, he was just three spots ahead of Tsunoda — a significant indicator of Red Bull’s struggles.
Throughout the 57-lap contest at the Bahrain International Circuit, Verstappen was heard over the team radio complaining about a lack of grip. After the race, he commented that the result could be seen in a positive light, only when considering the extent of the challenges the team was dealing with during the weekend.
Red Bull’s problems began right from the start of the race. Verstappen suffered a poor launch off the line and was plagued by tire overheating — a recurring issue throughout the race. Both he and Tsunoda were also hampered by unusually slow pit stops, further compounding their woes. The combination of these factors prevented either driver from truly competing at the front.
In the aftermath of the race, rumors began to circulate about an emergency “crisis meeting” being held within the Red Bull camp. While the speculation caused a stir among fans and pundits, Horner appeared composed when addressing the media. He downplayed the panic and offered a measured assessment of the situation.
“We had two problems this weekend — a brake issue and a balance issue,” Horner revealed. “Additionally, we encountered a problem with a wire in the pit lane, which further disrupted our operations.”
Horner went on to explain that some of the team’s existing problems had been masked in previous races due to clever setup choices, particularly during the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. However, the Bahrain GP exposed vulnerabilities that could no longer be concealed.
“This race clearly showed some weaknesses that we have, and we need to improve them,” Horner stated. “We know where the problems are, but it’s bringing the solutions that takes a bit longer.”
Despite Horner’s optimistic tone and insistence that the team is working methodically to resolve their issues, Verstappen’s post-race comments painted a more frustrated picture. The Dutch driver, known for his fierce competitiveness, didn’t mince words. “Basically, everything went wrong,” he said, signaling his dissatisfaction and concern with the team’s current direction.
As the paddock looks ahead to the next rounds of the season, questions linger over whether Red Bull can bounce back quickly. The team that dominated the 2023 and 2024 seasons now finds itself in the unfamiliar position of playing catch-up. Rivals like Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren are seizing the opportunity to close the performance gap, making Red Bull’s margin for error increasingly slim.
For Tsunoda, the pressure is also mounting. Though his performance in Bahrain earned some praise, he will need to continue improving rapidly if he is to solidify his place within the main team. With the spotlight intensifying, Red Bull must swiftly convert their analysis into tangible improvements — both in the garage and on the track.
In a sport where momentum can shift in a matter of weeks, Red Bull’s next few races will be critical. Whether Horner’s confidence is well-placed or misplaced will soon become clear. For now, the team faces the daunting task of solving a puzzle that, just a year ago, they seemed to have already mastered.
