Red Bull Racing is under increasing internal pressure after a disappointing performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen finished sixth, expressing frustration. Senior figures within the team, including Christian Horner, Helmut Marko, Pierre Waché, and Paul Monaghan, held urgent crisis talks to address what was described as a “very alarming” performance.

Team principal Christian Horner acknowledged that the race had exposed the team’s weaknesses, saying, “This race has exposed some pitfalls that are obviously very clear… We understand where the issues are. It’s introducing the solutions that takes time.”

Helmut Marko echoed this concern, describing the performance as “very alarming” in an interview with German TV. Following the race, Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, reportedly confronted Marko angrily, underscoring the growing frustration within the team.

Verstappen, clearly upset with the team’s struggles, stated, “Everything went wrong that could go wrong.” This has led to renewed speculation about his future with Red Bull, particularly as Marko recently highlighted a performance-based exit clause in the Dutchman’s contract.

Ferrari Finds Encouragement Despite Pace Disadvantages

In contrast to Red Bull’s struggles, Ferrari left Bahrain with renewed optimism. Lewis Hamilton achieved his best result since joining Ferrari, finishing fifth, while teammate Charles Leclerc placed fourth. Despite still trailing McLaren and Mercedes in outright pace, both Hamilton and the team see signs of progress.

Hamilton reflected on his growing comfort with the SF-24, saying, “I think I’ve figured out how the car likes to drive… I learned a lot this weekend, probably more than all the other weekends.”

Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, acknowledged the challenge of adapting to the new car but praised the momentum the team was building. “You don’t replace 12 years of collaboration in two races. We have to adapt the car to Lewis—but he also has to adapt,” Vasseur explained.

He further emphasized the importance of making incremental improvements, noting that Ferrari had experienced similar early setbacks in the past two years yet still managed to achieve race-winning form. “We had similar openings the last two years. We must improve by hundredths of a second. I’m convinced we’ll do the same job again,” Vasseur concluded.

Contrasting Futures

While McLaren continues to dominate, led by Oscar Piastri’s commanding win, Red Bull is grappling with internal instability. Verstappen’s defense of his title appears increasingly shaky as he faces both technical challenges and internal team tensions.

Meanwhile, Ferrari is slowly finding its rhythm. With Hamilton adapting to the SF-24, Leclerc continuing to improve, and Vasseur maintaining focus on the long-term goals, Ferrari’s fortunes seem to be on the up. The contrasting dynamics of Red Bull and Ferrari are quickly becoming defining elements of the 2025 Formula One season.