Red Bull to Discuss Brake Troubles with FIA After Verstappen’s Bahrain Qualifying Struggles
Red Bull Racing is planning discussions with the FIA following a difficult qualifying session for Max Verstappen at the Bahrain Grand Prix, during which the reigning World Champion was left frustrated by what he described as “terrible” brake performance. The issue resulted in Verstappen qualifying only seventh on the grid—well off the pace of the front-runners—sparking concerns within the team about how much can be done to resolve the problem under the current rules.
Verstappen’s qualifying woes were amplified by a stellar performance from McLaren, whose MCL39 dominated every practice and qualifying session across the weekend. Rival teams even described McLaren’s pace as being “on another planet,” further highlighting the disparity in performance compared to Red Bull, who typically lead the charge.
Despite a promising start in Q1 where Verstappen posted the third-fastest time, his performance dropped off dramatically by the final part of qualifying. In Q3, the Dutch driver slipped to seventh, nearly six-tenths of a second behind pole-sitter Oscar Piastri. His struggles were clearly not due to a lack of effort but rather a car issue he found impossible to work around.
Speaking over team radio during the session, a clearly frustrated Verstappen declared, “My brakes are just terrible, I can’t brake at all. It’s just so bad.” The gravity of the issue became a point of concern for Red Bull’s technical team and management, who now fear the defect could impact their race-day prospects unless a solution is found.
The major complication is the FIA’s parc fermé regulations, which limit the changes teams can make to a car’s setup once qualifying concludes. Under these rules, modifications to key components like aerodynamics, suspension, and engine mappings are generally not allowed. However, if a part is proven to be damaged or defective, teams are permitted to replace or repair it—provided they receive approval from FIA officials.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko confirmed that the team would seek clarity from the FIA about whether the problematic components—particularly the brake pads or associated hardware—can be legally changed ahead of the race. Speaking to Sky Deutschland, Marko said, “First of all, we have to find out what the cause is. After that, we have to clarify with the FIA whether it is allowed to change the brake pads, for example.”
The implications are significant. If the FIA deems the parts in question not damaged enough to warrant replacement, Red Bull would be forced to leave the car as is, risking another compromised performance during the Grand Prix. Alternatively, if they proceed with changes not approved by the FIA, Verstappen would likely have to start the race from the pit lane—an outcome the team is desperate to avoid.
This weekend’s issues are part of a broader trend of unexpected challenges for Red Bull in the early stages of the 2025 season. Though the team entered the year as favorites with Verstappen chasing a fourth consecutive World Championship, inconsistencies with the RB21’s balance and component reliability have caused setbacks. The brake issue in Bahrain is particularly concerning because it appears to have affected Verstappen’s confidence in the car’s handling under heavy braking zones, which are crucial on the Sakhir circuit.
While the extent of the technical fault is still being investigated, team engineers are focusing on whether the problem is a one-off hardware failure or a systemic design flaw that could recur at future events. Either way, Red Bull’s ability to adapt under the tight constraints of FIA regulations will be pivotal.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s dominance in Bahrain has only intensified the pressure on Red Bull. Oscar Piastri’s pole position and the MCL39’s strong showing throughout the weekend served as a clear warning that Red Bull will not enjoy an uncontested path to championship glory this season. The Woking-based team’s surge in form appears to be no fluke, and unless Red Bull can swiftly resolve their performance issues, the title fight could quickly become more competitive than anticipated.
Looking ahead, the spotlight will remain on how the FIA responds to Red Bull’s request and whether Verstappen’s brake issues can be resolved without incurring further penalties. The team will be hoping for a favorable ruling that allows them to make the necessary adjustments without breaching parc fermé rules—an outcome that could significantly influence the rest of their weekend in Bahrain.
