Reigning Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen expressed frustration after a challenging Bahrain Grand Prix, where he finished sixth in a race plagued by issues for Red Bull Racing. The Dutch driver, starting from seventh on the grid, described the weekend as a “catastrophe,” highlighting a series of mechanical and strategic setbacks that underscored Red Bull’s ongoing struggles in the 2025 season.
Verstappen’s troubles began in qualifying, where he could only manage P7, nearly six-tenths off pole-sitter Oscar Piastri’s pace. He cited persistent brake issues and a lack of grip in the Red Bull RB21, problems that carried into the race. “Basically, everything went wrong,” Verstappen told Sky DE post-race. “We had a poor start, too much wheelspin when I dropped the clutch, and then the first stint again [had] basically the same problems that I had in qualifying, plus we were just overheating our tyres too much.”
The race itself offered little respite. Red Bull’s pit stops were marred by errors, including a faulty release light system during Verstappen’s first stop, which left him stationary longer than planned and dropped him into traffic. A second stop was delayed by a stuck front-right tyre, further compromising his position. Verstappen also struggled with the hard tyre compound, which he described as ineffective, forcing him to battle an unbalanced car. Despite these setbacks, a late overtake on Alpine’s Pierre Gasly secured sixth place, a result Verstappen called “the maximum we could achieve.”
Red Bull’s woes were compounded by the team’s broader performance issues. Verstappen noted that the RB21’s tyre degradation, a recurring problem in 2025, was particularly exposed on Bahrain’s abrasive track surface. “The balance wasn’t there, and the tyre management wasn’t where I want it to be,” he said. Team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, starting 10th, finished outside the points, further highlighting Red Bull’s lack of pace compared to rivals McLaren, who dominated with Piastri’s victory and Lando Norris’ third-place finish.
The result saw Verstappen slip to third in the Drivers’ Championship, with Piastri overtaking him for second behind Norris. Red Bull now trails McLaren and Mercedes in the Constructors’ standings, a stark contrast to their dominance in previous years. Motorsport advisor Helmut Marko acknowledged the team’s struggles, revealing discussions with the FIA about brake-related adjustments made before the race under parc fermé conditions, though these failed to resolve the issues.
Verstappen’s candid reflections painted a grim picture of Red Bull’s current form. Speaking to Dutch media, including Motorsport.com, he downplayed his title chances, stating, “McLaren are not my rivals right now. I am just taking part in this world championship.” When pressed on whether he saw himself contending for a fifth consecutive championship, he replied bluntly, “No, I don’t.”
Despite the setbacks, Verstappen remains focused on damage limitation. “We tried everything we could on the car, and nothing works,” he said, emphasizing the team’s exhaustive efforts to find performance. Looking ahead to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Red Bull faces pressure to address the RB21’s deficiencies, particularly in high-degradation conditions, to close the gap to McLaren and Mercedes.