Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has expressed worry about the future of reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen if the team fails to give him a faster car, Afrosport reports.
The Dutch driver struggled in Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix where he finished sixth, a big drop after winning the Japanese Grand Prix the week before.
Verstappen has now dropped to third in the drivers’ standings and is eight points behind current leader Lando Norris.
Speaking to Sky Sport Deutschland, Marko said: “The concern is great. Improvements have to come in the near future so that he has a car with which he can win again.
“We have to create a basis with a car so that he can fight for the world championship.”
Difficult weekend
Struggled with the balance and overall pace. We move forward and keep pushing @redbullracing
pic.twitter.com/SRlKflYfnj
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) April 13, 2025
Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028 but Marko has previously confirmed that he has a release clause.
The 27-year-old has been linked to both Mercedes and Aston Martin, the latter now the team of former Red Bull chief designer Adrian Newey, and also partner of Red Bull’s current engine supplier, Honda, from 2026.
