According to reports, Red Bull’s struggles at the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix have sparked Max Verstappen exit fears as the team rules out any serious challenge for the title based on current RB21 issues.
Following a disappointing performance in Bahrain where the four-time world champion finished a distant sixth, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko openly expressed fears that their star driver might consider leaving if the situation does not improve.
This revelation has reignited widespread speculation about a possible Max Verstappen exit while questions still linger over the stability of Red Bull as a top contender with tensions rising within the camp.
The Bahrain Grand Prix exposed critical weaknesses in the RB21, particularly issues related to handling imbalance and tyre degradation.
Verstappen himself has been vocal about the car’s lack of predictability through corners, which puts excessive strain on the tyres and leads to rapid performance drop-offs during races.
This problem was especially pronounced in Bahrain, a circuit known for being tough on tyres, where Red Bull appeared to have regressed compared to their dominant form last year.
The Dutchman remarked that the team seemed worse on tyres in 2025 than in 2024 despite improvements from rival teams making the weekend “very complicated” and frustrating for the driver.
Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner acknowledged that Bahrain had laid bare the car’s deficiencies more clearly than previous races. Horner highlighted a disconnect between the team’s wind tunnel data and on-track performance, complicating efforts to develop effective solutions.
This technical challenge has hindered the Milton Keynes based outfit’s ability to provide Verstappen with a consistently competitive car, a situation that Marko described as untenable if they want to retain their champion driver.
“The concern is great,” Marko told Sky Germany. “As I said, improvements have to come in the near future so that he has a car with which he can win again.
“We have to create a basis with a car so that he can fight for the World Championship.”
Red Bull’s struggles in Bahrain were compounded by operational issues as Verstappen faced two slow pit stops and was forced onto the hard tyre which was not ideal for race strategy.
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His manager Raymond Vermeulen was reportedly involved in a heated exchange with Marko after the race, reflecting the tension and frustration within the team.
Senior Red Bull figures including Horner, Marko, technical director Pierre Waché and chief engineer Paul Monaghan were seen holding an urgent meeting in the paddock which many interpreted as a crisis response to the weekend’s failures.
Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull extends until the end of 2028, but it reportedly contains performance clauses that could allow him to leave early if the team fails to deliver a car capable of winning championships.
Marko’s candid admission of his “very big” concerns over Max Verstappen exit underscores the urgency within Red Bull to address these issues promptly.
The team must not only improve the car’s pace but also establish a stable and reliable platform that enables Verstappen to fight for world titles consistently rather than relying on occasional standout performances in the ever-changing conditions.
While Red Bull works to solve performance issues, speculation over Max Verstappen exit isn’t something new in Formula 1. Over the past year the star driver has been linked with moves to Mercedes and Aston Martin although no formal talks have taken place.
Mercedes with its strong driver lineup featuring George Russell and the promising rookie Kimi Antonelli remains a potential destination though the team has not publicly confirmed any plans to replace Russell.
Meanwhile, Aston Martin’s performance has been underwhelming especially ahead of its upcoming Honda engine partnership making it a less likely option for Verstappen at this stage.
