Max Verstappen expressed frustration following a tough Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, which left him questioning his future at Red Bull. After a series of mishaps, including poor pit stops and a car lacking pace, Verstappen sarcastically described the experience as “very beautiful” as he found himself at the back of the field during the race.
Despite being one of the most successful driver-team pairings in F1 history, having secured four consecutive World Championships since 2021, Verstappen faced a difficult start to the 2025 season. After overcoming car issues to win in Japan, he struggled in Bahrain, where he qualified seventh—six-tenths slower than pole sitter Oscar Piastri.
During the race, Verstappen encountered two slow pit stops. A problem with Red Bull’s traffic light system delayed his first stop, and a sticky right-front wheel slowed his second. This saw him rejoin in 20th position, briefly even at the back. He eventually finished sixth, 34 seconds behind Piastri, despite the assistance of a mid-race Safety Car.
Reflecting on the weekend with Dutch broadcaster Viaplay, Verstappen said, “Nothing went well. A bad start, issues with pit stops, and the hard tyres just didn’t work. At one point, I was last, which was very beautiful. But considering all that, finishing sixth was a good result.”
The performance has raised more questions about Verstappen’s future at Red Bull. Rumors of a potential exit have circulated, with reports suggesting that Verstappen’s contract contains an exit clause that could be triggered if he’s not in the top three of the Drivers’ Championship after a portion of the 2025 season.
Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, reportedly expressed concerns to Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko following the race, although sources close to the situation have denied this confrontation took place.
With Verstappen currently third in the standings, just six points ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, uncertainty continues to swirl around his future, despite being under contract with Red Bull until 2028.
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