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Red Bull Racing Forecasts Continued Formula 1 Challenges in Saudi Arabia and Miami
Red Bull Racing anticipates facing further difficulties in the upcoming Formula 1 races in Saudi Arabia and Miami, potentially jeopardizing Max Verstappen’s championship aspirations. Despite a victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, the team acknowledges they have been outperformed by McLaren and Mercedes in the early stages of the 2025 season, and now face circuits that may further expose their current performance deficit.
Bahrain Performance Disappoints After Japan Hopes
Following Verstappen’s triumph in Japan, hopes for a robust championship fight were tempered by a challenging weekend in Bahrain. Red Bull lacked the speed to compete with Oscar Piastri for pole position, resulting in Verstappen qualifying in seventh place, behind rival Lando Norris. During the race, Verstappen managed to advance only to sixth position, overtaking Pierre Gasly of Alpine in the closing moments.
Marko Warns of “Really Tough” Races Ahead
Helmut Marko, a key figure within Red Bull, has indicated that the team does not foresee an immediate improvement in their fortunes. “The races in Jeddah and Miami are going to be really tough for us,” Marko stated to Kleine Zeitung. He emphasized the necessity for strong results, adding, “If we want to remain competitive in the title fight, we need to secure at least one podium finish in the next three races.”
Performance Decline Attributed to Car Balance Issues
Marko elaborated on the team’s struggles, highlighting the setback after their Japanese Grand Prix victory. “That hurt,” Marko admitted, referring to the drop in performance. “Falling from a victory back to a midfield position was certainly not our plan. The car is lacking balance, which in turn causes the tyres to overheat, creating a cascade of problems.”
Damage Limitation Expected at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
With expectations lowered for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, damage limitation appears to be Red Bull’s primary objective for Verstappen. Currently, Verstappen trails Lando Norris by eight points in the drivers’ championship standings, a gap that is predicted to potentially widen in Saudi Arabia given the track characteristics and Red Bull’s current performance level.
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Mercedes and Russell Eye Strong Jeddah Performance
Adding to the challenge, George Russell and Mercedes are anticipated to be strong contenders in Jeddah. Russell has demonstrated impressive form early in the season, and Mercedes believes the high-speed configuration of the Jeddah track will complement their W16 car, potentially placing them in contention for another podium finish, marking a fourth in five races.
Verstappen’s Calm Demeanor Amidst Red Bull Challenges
Despite the concerning situation and external speculation regarding his future with the team, Verstappen is projecting a composed demeanor. When questioned about rumors linking him to a possible departure from Red Bull, Verstappen responded, “I don’t know, to be honest. I just keep working, you know, keep trying to improve the car.”
Verstappen acknowledged the Bahrain Grand Prix as a low point, stating, “I think, naturally, Bahrain wasn’t a great weekend for us. I think we were all pretty disappointed with that. And we just keep on trying to improve the car, come up with new ideas to try on the car. Competition is tough.”