Helmut Marko, Red Bull`s advisor, has voiced significant worries regarding Max Verstappen`s continued presence with the team. He described their performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix as highly concerning.
Verstappen managed to finish sixth in the race on Sunday, a better outcome than initially anticipated, given the pit stop errors and handling difficulties he faced throughout the event.
Despite the challenges, Verstappen is currently just eight points behind championship leader Lando Norris and five points behind Oscar Piastri, who won the race. However, Red Bull`s car has shown considerable issues and is notably slower than McLaren`s car this season.
Marko, speaking to Sky Germany after the race, stated that his concern is substantial. He emphasized the necessity for rapid improvements to provide Verstappen with a car capable of winning again. The team needs to build a solid base with their car so Verstappen can compete for the world championship.
Verstappen`s contract with Red Bull extends until the end of the 2028 season. However, Marko mentioned to the BBC last month that performance clauses are standard in contracts for top drivers.
Although Verstappen secured an impressive pole position and victory in Suzuka the week before Bahrain, outperforming McLaren, Red Bull has generally had a challenging start to the season with their new car.
In Bahrain, Marko described their performance as “very alarming,” reiterating that they are aware of their lack of competitiveness. He expressed hope that upcoming upgrades in the following races would bring improvements.
Marko detailed numerous problems, highlighting balance and grip as primary concerns, which he believes led to brake issues. He also pointed out that routine procedures like pit stops were not executed correctly, creating a domino effect of problems.
He stressed the urgency for Red Bull to enhance the car`s performance and ensure that basic standards, such as pit stops, are reliably met. He concluded that it`s unacceptable for the car to lack speed and for pit stops to be flawed.
Following the race, tensions were visible as Verstappen`s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, was seen in a heated discussion with Marko in the garage. Team principal Christian Horner, technical director Pierre Wache, chief engineer Paul Monaghan, and Marko also engaged in discussions in the paddock.
Horner acknowledged that it was a poor weekend overall for the team, with issues arising from the start of the race. He mentioned a suboptimal start, problematic pit stops, and excessively high tire temperatures. He emphasized that a well-balanced car simplifies everything.
Despite the setbacks, Horner pointed out that the season is long, with 24 races. Red Bull is currently eight points behind in the Drivers` Championship and needs to make quick progress. He underscored the importance of Verstappen securing as many points as possible, even with a difficult car, as the cumulative points at the season`s end are what truly matter.
Verstappen himself commented on their poor tire management, stating that the car`s balance is not ideal, which becomes particularly evident on tracks like Bahrain. He doesn`t anticipate a sudden return to the front in Saudi Arabia, despite his dominance there the previous year.
He explained that while tire degradation might be generally lower in Jeddah, their weakness in tire management will persist across different tracks. He acknowledged that the track layout might offer slight advantages, but their tire management issues remain a significant weakness compared to competitors.
Gilbert Pendleton