Red Bull’s Bahrain Nightmare Fuels Verstappen Exit Rumors as Team Faces Crisis
The Bahrain Grand Prix marked a stunning fall from grace for Red Bull, with Max Verstappen’s sixth-place finish and a series of embarrassing pit stop blunders exposing deep cracks in the team’s 2025 campaign. Just a week after a commanding win in Japan, Red Bull’s struggles in the Middle Eastern heat—coupled with Verstappen’s refusal to engage in post-race team discussions—have plunged the Milton Keynes squad into chaos. As McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris dominated the podium, Red Bull’s senior management scrambled into crisis talks, while Helmut Marko openly admitted fears of losing their four-time champion. With Verstappen’s manager clashing with Marko and exit clause rumors swirling, the question looms: Is Red Bull’s dynasty crumbling, and could Verstappen be on his way to Mercedes or Aston Martin?
Verstappen’s frustration was palpable in Bahrain, where he battled a poorly balanced RB21 and endured two disastrously slow pit stops, including a malfunctioning automatic light system and a stuck front-right tire. These errors cost him crucial seconds, dropping him as low as ninth during a dismal stint on hard tires.
Speaking to Viaplay, Verstappen’s curt response—“At the moment, no, I don’t feel like it”—when asked about debriefing with the team underscored his disillusionment. Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz reported a heated exchange between Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, and Marko, with Vermeulen “giving him a piece of his mind” before storming off. Marko later admitted to Autosport that Red Bull’s performance was “very alarming,” citing issues with balance, grip, and brakes as fundamental flaws in the RB21.
The Bahrain debacle stands in stark contrast to McLaren’s polished performance, with Piastri converting pole to victory and Norris clawing from sixth to third. Norris, despite his self-criticism, leads the drivers’ championship by three points over Piastri, while Verstappen’s one-point deficit ballooned to eight. Ferrari also showed promise with a new floor upgrade, as Lewis Hamilton climbed from ninth to fifth. Red Bull’s lone bright spot was Yuki Tsunoda’s ninth-place finish, marking the first time their second car scored points since the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. Yet, this minor success did little to ease the growing panic within the team.
Marko’s candid warning that Verstappen could trigger an exit clause by the summer break has sent shockwaves through the paddock. Linked to Mercedes and Aston Martin, Verstappen’s dissatisfaction is no secret, especially after Red Bull’s failure to widen the RB21’s setup window over the winter.
Christian Horner insisted the team’s “strong technical team” could turn things around, but his assurances ring hollow given the car’s persistent issues. Fans on X echoed the concern, with one post stating, “Max looks done with Red Bull’s mess. Aston Martin’s calling!” The team’s inability to compete with McLaren’s consistency or Ferrari’s upgrades has left Red Bull vulnerable, amplifying fears that Verstappen could walk away from his contract, valid until 2028.
As Red Bull’s management—Horner, Pierre Wache, Paul Monaghan, and Marko—huddled in a tense post-race meeting, the path forward remains unclear. With the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix looming, Red Bull faces immense pressure to deliver upgrades and restore Verstappen’s confidence. For now, the team’s meltdown in Bahrain has not only jeopardled Verstappen’s exit rumors but also raised questions about their ability to reclaim their former dominance. As McLaren surges and Verstappen simmers, Red Bull’s next moves will determine whether they can salvage their season or lose their biggest asset.
