Red Bull rejects internal changes after underperformance – A disastrous performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix has raised concerns within Red Bull Racing’s once dominant Formula One operation. With Max Verstappen only sixth and clearly frustrated throughout the weekend, the spotlight is once again on the reigning Constructors’ Champions. But despite the troubling signs, Red Bull’s leadership remains adamant that no internal changes are needed – for now.
Team advisor Helmut Marko has insisted that the team’s problems are not a matter of personnel, but of approach. Christian Horner echoed similar sentiments, focusing on technical discrepancies rather than a shake-up. But behind these calm declarations lies a worrying reality: Red Bull may be facing deeper, systemic problems that can no longer be ignored.
Drivers reveal new 2026 F1 engines “not good”
The Bahrain disaster: What went wrong
Red Bull’s performance in Bahrain was a far cry from the form they showed in Japan just a week earlier. In Suzuka, Verstappen took pole and cruised to victory, with the RB21 seemingly at its best in cool conditions with limited overtaking. Bahrain, however, exposed everything that’s wrong with the team at the moment.
From the start of the weekend, Verstappen struggled with balance issues. He was vocal about the lack of grip, inconsistent braking and unusually high tyre degradation. During the race, pit stops were botched, with timing and coordination not up to the standards expected from a top team. It was so bad that Helmut Marko did not mince his words, describing the execution as “unacceptable”.
Even more worrying was Verstappen’s difficulty in battling with the middle of the field. At one point he was struggling to overtake Pierre Gasly’s Alpine. Worse still, Jack Doohan in the second Alpine closed a significant gap and entered DRS range, a moment that would have been unthinkable a year ago.
Comparisons paint a stark picture. In Bahrain last year, Verstappen dominated and won by a huge margin. This time he finished more than 34 seconds behind Oscar Piastri, who won for McLaren. The gap isn’t just numerical – it’s symbolic of the shifting balance of power in the paddock.
Why the problems go deeper than one bad weekend
Red Bull’s performance problems in Bahrain aren’t isolated to a single race. In fact, they are part of a worrying trend that dates back to last year. The team began to falter after Monza in 2024, with structural problems in the car’s design and performance that updates failed to address. At the time, Red Bull hoped that off-season development would turn the tide. But Bahrain proves otherwise.
The RB21 shows critical weaknesses in two key areas: it struggles in hot conditions and with high tyre degradation. These were once the team’s strengths. The regression suggests fundamental design flaws that were either not addressed or masked in more favourable conditions such as Japan.
Christian Horner admitted that the problems now being experienced are eerily similar to those of last year. “The characteristics are similar,” he said, noting that brake problems have been added this season. His admission underlines a wider concern: Red Bull’s winter development cycle has failed to address known flaws, and their solutions haven’t worked on track.
A key factor in this failure appears to be the poor correlation between simulation tools – particularly the wind tunnel and CFD models – and actual track performance. Horner likened the situation to “looking at two different clocks”, with the wind tunnel pointing in one direction but the real-world data telling a different story. The disconnect is not just technical – it is strategic. In a sport where simulator accuracy drives development, a lack of correlation severely limits effective upgrades.
‘Perez closes mega deal and makes spectacular comeback with new F1 team’
The limitations of current resources
Horner tried to remain optimistic, suggesting that the outdated wind tunnel would still be of value for major rule changes, such as those coming in 2026. However, that does not address the current season. The new wind tunnel, which the team hopes will restore accurate correlation, won’t be operational until 2027.
Red Bull had the opportunity to benefit from increased wind tunnel time this year as a result of finishing third in last season’s Constructors’ Championship. But so far, the extra allocation has not resulted in any visible improvements. The very tools that are supposed to help the team bounce back are producing misleading data, making the situation worse rather than better.
With in-season testing so limited in modern F1, this problem becomes even more damaging. Updates developed under flawed assumptions may never translate into meaningful on-track gains.
Russell move closes the door for Verstappen
The urgency is growing: Verstappen and Marko sound the alarm
Perhaps the most telling signs of internal pressure come from the team’s figureheads – Marko and Verstappen. While the leadership group has publicly downplayed the need for structural changes, both men have made it clear behind the scenes that the current state of affairs is deeply troubling.
Marko described the situation as “very alarming” and expressed serious concerns about not only Red Bull’s competitiveness, but also Verstappen’s future with the team. Having already lost Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley, the loss of Verstappen would be a devastating blow to Red Bull Racing’s long-term prospects.
Verstappen himself made his feelings clear in Bahrain. Speaking after the race, he was brutally honest: “This is where we are, at least for me. Asked if the team shared his sense of urgency, he replied: “I only speak for myself. That single statement speaks volumes about possible internal divisions within the Red Bull camp.
The reigning world champion emphasised the complexity of Red Bull’s problems. “It’s not just one problem,” he said. “We also have real balance problems. It’s two things. We need to get more grip on the car and we need to find a better balance. In other words, Red Bull need to find more power across the board without sacrificing drivability – a daunting task for even the most advanced engineering teams.
What comes next: Imola upgrades and a race against time
With Red Bull currently sitting third in the Constructors’ Championship on 71 points – 80 behind leaders McLaren – the pressure is on to respond quickly. A major upgrade package is planned for the Imola Grand Prix, although there are hopes that it could be ready even sooner. This update is seen as a make-or-break moment for the RB21.
However, expectations are tempered by the same correlation issues that have plagued previous development. If the wind tunnel and CFD tools continue to mislead engineers, there’s no certainty that any upgrade will work as intended. That’s why track data is now taking precedence in development decisions – a pragmatic shift, but one that comes too late to prevent early season damage.
In parallel, Red Bull must start thinking about 2026, when a major regulatory overhaul will reset the technical landscape. That will require resources and strategic planning that could further divert attention from fixing this year’s problems. It’s a juggling act that could determine the trajectory of the team for years to come.
Vasseur suggests Hamilton caused unrest at Ferrari
A defining moment for the Red Bull dynasty
Red Bull Racing finds itself in uncharted territory – underperforming, searching for answers and facing questions about leadership, direction and even driver retention. While Marko and Horner insist there’s no need for internal change, the evidence from Bahrain suggests otherwise.
The RB21 is no longer the class of the field. Its weaknesses have been exposed and rivals such as McLaren have moved ahead, leaving Red Bull to play catch-up. With structural flaws in the car, misaligned development tools and mounting internal pressure, this season could spiral unless immediate and effective steps are taken.
For Verstappen, who’s chasing a fifth consecutive world title, Bahrain was a wake-up call. Whether Red Bull can respond with the urgency and precision required remains to be seen. The next few races, and Imola in particular, will be crucial not just for the 2025 campaign – but for the long-term stability of Red Bull Racing as a Formula One powerhouse.
‘Perez closes mega deal and makes spectacular comeback with new F1 team’
MORE F1 NEWS – Intentions for an F1 team based in Saudi announced
Formula One is heading to its second weekend of the year in the middle east as the teams make the short hop from Bahrain to the shores of the Red Sea and the city of Jeddah. It is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia and the commercial centre of the oil rich country.
The race track created along the waterside corniche was only ever intended as a temporary home for the Saudi Grand Prix while a purpose built track in the entertainment and tourism mega project in Qiddiah was designed and built.
As Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its oil dependent economy, Formula One will play a key part in rebranding the Arab nation, which until recently refused to allow women to drive along with a host of other misogynistic rules which make females subservient…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
