Red Bull’s slow start to the 2025 Formula One season led to an emergency meeting in the paddock, discussing plans ahead and already prompting a single driver to switch.
So does speculation about the future of other seats.
The future of Max Verstappen with Red Bull is a point of constant speculation throughout the F1 paddock, with Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko having fanned the flames following a difficult weekend for the Bahrain Granpuri team. Verstappen left him fighting for a sixth place finish due to troubles along the pit lane and difficult-to-organize cars, so Marco opened the door to an increase in speculation when speaking after the race. Sky Sports Germany.
“concern [about Verstappen leaving] It’s amazing.” Marco said in Bahrain. “Like I said, improvements have to come in the near future, so he has a car that can win again.
“We have to make it based on cars so he can compete for the World Championship.”
Marco may have opened that door, but Verstappen just closed it, as he did before. A speech at the FIA press conference ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Grand Prix Verstappen this weekend
“It seems like everyone is talking about my future, except for me. I’m focused on cars and working with the team.” Verstappen said as quoted F1 writer Eric Van Harlen.
“I’m very relaxed,” the four-time champion added.
The Red Bull driver outlined some of his current complaints about the team’s challenger, RB21. “We struggled with balance. Midcorner entry into balance is not where I want it,” Verstappen says.
“Hopefully the runway here will be better.
“I’m happy, I’m not very happy with my car, but we all want to be better. There’s no secret. We all want to improve,” Verstappen says.
He also found some comfort in how quickly the script flipped last season. Red Bull began the year as a dominant package on the grid, but by the end of the season, McLaren was above the constructor’s championship rankings.
Now it’s the McLaren on the front, chasing Red Bull.
“I just go to races, I think it’s better than Bahrain.
“The rest is off my hands. At this point, we’re not the fastest so it’s difficult to compete for the championship, but that’s a long way.
“It all looked great here last year and I know how the season ended,” Verstappen concluded.
