Red Bull Racing finds itself in troubled waters after a disappointing showing at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen could only manage a sixth-place finish. The result has sparked internal concerns, prompting high-level discussions within the team as they try to get their championship defense back on track.
Team principal Christian Horner acknowledged the severity of the situation, admitting that while some of the car’s flaws were masked by setup adjustments in previous races, the Bahrain round exposed fundamental problems that demand urgent attention. However, he cautioned that the necessary fixes are unlikely to be implemented overnight, emphasizing that solutions will take time to develop and apply.
The meeting reportedly involved key technical personnel, including technical director Pierre Waché, motorsport adviser Helmut Marko, and chief engineer Paul Monaghan. Their goal: to dissect what went wrong and figure out how to steer the team back into contention. Marko didn’t mince words, labeling the performance as “very alarming” and indicating serious concern about the team’s trajectory.
For Verstappen, the race was a frustrating affair. Everything that could have gone wrong seemingly did, and the reigning world champion appeared visibly upset in the aftermath. Tensions boiled over further when Verstappen’s manager was seen in a heated exchange with Marko in the team garage. With Verstappen known to have a performance-related escape clause in his contract, whispers of a potential future move have grown louder, adding further pressure to an already delicate situation at Red Bull.
While Red Bull deals with internal turbulence, others on the grid seem to be building momentum. Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, delivered his strongest performance with the team to date, finishing fifth in Bahrain. His teammate Charles Leclerc placed fourth, and although the Ferrari car still trails McLaren and Mercedes in outright pace, the team viewed the race as a step forward.
Hamilton noted that he’s beginning to better understand the nuances of his new car, adding that if he can improve his qualifying performance, stronger race results will follow. The seven-time world champion described the Bahrain weekend as one of his most insightful yet, pointing to growing confidence behind the wheel.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur echoed that optimism, stressing the need for patience as both driver and team continue adapting to one another. Vasseur underlined that replacing over a decade of collaboration with Mercedes would naturally take time, but the signs of progress were evident. He praised Hamilton’s willingness to evolve his driving style to suit the car, while also affirming Ferrari’s commitment to adapting the vehicle to better suit the British driver’s strengths.
Having navigated rocky starts in previous seasons, Vasseur remained composed, advocating for a consistent and measured approach. He acknowledged the inherent ups and downs of Formula 1, but expressed confidence that Ferrari could build on this performance and replicate the resilience shown in recent campaigns.
As Red Bull grapples with internal discord and performance concerns, rivals like Ferrari and McLaren are quietly finding their rhythm. With the season still young, the pressure is mounting and how each team responds over the coming races could define their fortunes for the year ahead.
