Red Bull Racing is facing an internal crisis after a disappointing performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen finished a frustrating sixth. The result has raised serious concerns about the team’s ability to defend its world title this season. In the aftermath of the race, the team held urgent meetings to address the issues plaguing their car. Team principal Christian Horner admitted that the car’s problems were exposed during the race in Sakhir, and finding solutions will take time.
Max Verstappen’s Frustration and Team’s Alarm
Max Verstappen, who has been the face of Red Bull’s dominance in recent seasons, was clearly frustrated after the race. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance, stating that “everything went wrong.” Verstappen, who has a performance-related exit clause in his contract, hinted that he might reconsider his long-term future with the team. His frustration led to a tense post-race atmosphere, with reports indicating that Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, had a heated exchange with Red Bull’s adviser, Helmut Marko.
Red Bull’s technical staff, including Pierre Waché, Marko, and chief engineer Paul Monaghan, joined Horner for emergency discussions. Marko referred to the situation as “very alarming,” emphasizing that the team’s struggles were more serious than they initially seemed. Although Horner acknowledged that the team understood the source of their problems, he warned that fixing them would take time and patience.
Bahrain Exposes Deeper Issues for Red Bull
The Bahrain Grand Prix highlighted the vulnerabilities in Red Bull’s car setup. While the team managed to mask some of its issues during the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, the Bahrain race revealed the depth of their problems. Red Bull’s strong reputation in recent years had somewhat shielded them from criticism, but Bahrain exposed their flaws on a bigger stage. Horner, however, remained cautiously optimistic, saying, “We understand where the issues are, but implementing the solutions takes time.”
Verstappen’s frustration has not only been about the car’s performance but also about the increasing instability within the team. The once-solid confidence in Red Bull’s dominance is now being questioned, and Verstappen’s future with the team could depend on how quickly they can fix their current problems. For now, it seems that Red Bull is facing one of its most challenging seasons in recent memory.
Ferrari Shows Steady Progress While Hamilton Adjusts
While Red Bull is scrambling to fix its issues, Ferrari is quietly making progress. Charles Leclerc and his teammate Lewis Hamilton had a solid performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, with Hamilton finishing fifth and Leclerc securing a fourth-place finish. Although Ferrari remains behind McLaren in the current pecking order, both Hamilton and Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur are optimistic about the future.
Hamilton, who has spent 12 years with Mercedes, has been adapting to Ferrari’s car since making the switch. He expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I’ve figured out how the car wants to be driven. I learned more this weekend than in all the others.” Vasseur echoed Hamilton’s sentiment, stressing that patience would be key to their continued improvement. “You can’t replace 12 years of collaboration in two races. We’ll improve the car for Lewis, and he’ll adapt too,” he said.
Ferrari’s Calm Approach to Improvement
Despite a slow start to the season, Vasseur remains calm and confident about Ferrari’s prospects. He believes that the team is on track for gradual improvements, citing their recovery in the past two years. Ferrari has often shown the ability to bounce back during the season, and Vasseur is hopeful they can do the same this year.
“We have to stay calm, improve by hundredths of a second. I’m confident we’ll deliver like we did before,” Vasseur added. Ferrari’s gradual approach is a sign of steady progress, and with Hamilton becoming more comfortable in the car, the team could surprise others with a strong mid-season performance.
McLaren Surges Ahead, Red Bull Faces Uncertainty
As Red Bull struggles with its performance issues, McLaren has surged ahead, leaving Red Bull with more to prove. Ferrari, too, is quietly gaining ground. Both teams are aiming to challenge Red Bull’s dominance, and with Hamilton growing more comfortable with his new team, Ferrari may pose a serious threat in the coming races.
Meanwhile, Verstappen’s ongoing frustration and the internal tension within Red Bull could signal a deeper instability within the team. How Red Bull handles this crisis will determine if they can bounce back to their usual championship-winning form. The season is still young, but if things don’t improve soon, Red Bull may find themselves in a difficult position.