Helmut Marko has openly admitted that Red Bull’s hopes of securing the World Championship are in jeopardy if they continue to perform like they did during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Max Verstappen, the current world champion, could only manage a sixth-place finish at the Sakhir International Circuit, while his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, crossed the line in ninth. It was a weekend full of struggles for the team right from the start.
Verstappen, who had a stellar qualifying performance the week prior in Japan, where he secured pole position, found himself struggling throughout the free practice sessions in Bahrain. He could only qualify in seventh place, marking a disappointing turnaround from his previous performance. Things didn’t improve much during the race. Verstappen lost two places in the opening lap and had to fight his way back, eventually finishing in sixth place after overtaking Pierre Gasly of Alpine on the final lap. Meanwhile, his championship rivals, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, both secured podium finishes, further highlighting the contrast in performance.
Once the race concluded, the mood within Red Bull was notably somber. Marko, speaking about what he referred to as a “disastrous weekend,” confessed, “With performances like this, unfortunately, the World Championship is not going to happen.”
This statement is a huge blow to Verstappen’s aspirations of matching Michael Schumacher’s five consecutive Drivers’ Championships. The Dutchman is now eight points behind Norris and sits third in the overall standings, a position that is far from ideal given Red Bull’s dominance in previous seasons.
“This is a very tough day for Red Bull, and it is obvious to all of us,” Marko continued. “We need to get the car performance back as soon as possible, and the standards, such as pit stops, also need to work. The car is not fast enough, and then the pit stops are not functioning. That is unacceptable.”
The Austrian advisor added, “It is very concerning. We know we are not competitive right now, and there will be parts that will come in future races, and hopefully, they will bring improvements. We have a lot of issues.”
Marko highlighted that the key problems facing Red Bull were related to the car’s balance and grip. He suggested that these issues were contributing to the braking problems that Verstappen was experiencing, which in turn affected the overall performance during the race. As the team struggled with pit stop inefficiencies, it seemed like one problem was quickly followed by another.
For Verstappen, Marko, and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, the Bahrain GP performance was baffling, especially considering the team’s victory at the Japanese Grand Prix just a week earlier. The team, which had dominated in Japan, found itself battling with Alpine to secure the title of the fourth-fastest car in Bahrain. With the Jeddah Grand Prix just around the corner, Red Bull has little time to solve their issues and get back to winning form.
The Bahrain GP was a tough race for Red Bull, and it raised serious questions about their current competitive edge. While Verstappen remains a top contender in the championship, the team’s struggles in Bahrain suggest that their road to another title may be more challenging than anticipated.
Marko’s comments reflect the gravity of the situation Red Bull finds itself in. The team will need to address the balance and grip issues quickly and ensure that their pit stops are up to standard if they are to stay competitive in the remainder of the season.
The upcoming race in Jeddah will be a crucial test for Red Bull. With Verstappen trailing Norris in the points and the team facing ongoing challenges, Red Bull must find a way to bounce back and reassert themselves as the dominant force in Formula 1. The next few weeks could be pivotal in determining whether they can recover from their Bahrain setback and continue their quest for the World Championship.