Red Bull panics after Bahrain GP as Verstappen struggles and… Read More
Red Bull Racing held urgent internal discussions following a disappointing performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen finished sixth, raising concerns about the team’s competitiveness early in the 2025 Formula 1 season. Team principal Christian Horner acknowledged significant issues with the car that were exposed during the race, saying that while temporary fixes through car setup were possible—as seen in Suzuka—the underlying problems need longer-term solutions.
Key figures including technical director Pierre Waché, motorsport adviser Helmut Marko, and chief engineer Paul Monaghan joined Horner to assess the situation. Marko, speaking to German media, described the result as “very alarming” and admitted the team is deeply concerned. Verstappen, visibly frustrated, stated that “everything went wrong that could go wrong.” Speculation about his future has been reignited, particularly given the performance-related exit clause in his contract. Tensions also rose internally, with Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz reporting that Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, had a heated exchange with Marko in the garage after the race.
Meanwhile, Ferrari is showing signs of improvement. Lewis Hamilton, who recently joined the team after over a decade with Mercedes, finished fifth—his best result so far for the Scuderia. His teammate Charles Leclerc came in fourth, marking a more competitive outing for Ferrari compared to earlier races this season. Hamilton said he is beginning to understand the Ferrari car’s unique handling characteristics, which allowed him to perform better in Bahrain. He expressed optimism about his adaptation process, suggesting that continued improvement in qualifying could further boost his race results.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur echoed Hamilton’s sentiments, noting that their working relationship is progressing steadily. While acknowledging the challenge of replacing 12 years of familiarity with Mercedes, Vasseur praised Hamilton’s mindset of continuous self-improvement. He emphasized that the team is also committed to refining the car to suit Hamilton’s style, while the driver adapts in return.
Vasseur maintained a calm and measured approach, stating that the team has experienced similar slow starts in previous seasons but managed to rebound with strong performances and race wins. He stressed the importance of staying consistent and focused on incremental gains, confident that both Hamilton and the team will achieve success again this season.
Overall, while Red Bull faces internal strife and urgent performance concerns, Ferrari appears to be on a steady upward trajectory, with Hamilton increasingly integrated into the team and poised to contribute to their resurgence.
