“We are not where we want to be” is a sentiment shared by both Verstappen and Red Bull. The RB21 did not make a striking impression when unveiled, appearing too similar in shape to last year’s car. However, two cars, even if nearly identical, can deliver very different performances, as in this generation of ground-effect cars, the difference lies in the details. In fact, Red Bull’s latest creation seemed unable to compete with rivals in the latter part of last season, only to dominate the Qatar Grand Prix convincingly.
That weekend served as a litmus test, proving the technical project was still capable of excelling, despite Max finishing only eighth in the Saturday sprint race. The Austrian team leaves Bahrain with many unanswered questions and is not hiding its concerns. Max Verstappen’s expressions, including visible frustration behind the wheel, signal his growing impatience. Yet, on the first day of testing in Sakhir, the four-time world champion had expressed satisfaction with his car’s behavior.
Red Bull: The Team Does Not Hide the Struggles Experienced with Verstappen
Technical issues and the planned testing program over the following days may not have provided the expected feedback. For Verstappen, who is always direct and unfiltered, the tests were not disastrous, but there is still a long way to go to be competitive in the season opener in Australia. The prevailing sense is that, despite his immense talent, Jos’ son will not be able to compensate for the gap shown by the RB20 in the latter half of last season over the course of an entire championship.
Even Red Bull, in official statements from the CEO, team principal, and technical director, has avoided empty strategic posturing. Pierre Waché candidly expressed his dissatisfaction with the RB21’s performance in Bahrain: “The test did not go as well as we expected. However, it is better to identify these problems now rather than later. Our goal here is to understand the car.” Issues have emerged, and further investigation will follow.
Red Bull: An Angry Max Verstappen Awaits Further Updates
The Austrian car has not shown the progress engineers anticipated. While the world champion initially gave positive feedback on the RB21, Pierre Waché confirmed that the car is not performing at the expected level. Helmut Marko, the team’s longtime advisor and Verstappen’s mentor, explained that certain modifications have eliminated some of the unpredictability that characterized the RB20. It is worth noting that Sakhir has historically been a favorable track for Red Bull.
Just twelve months ago, they secured a dominant one-two finish there, creating the impression of another year of supremacy following their 2023 dominance. As they have often done in the past, the Austrian team has introduced updates to the car’s base specification. One example is the revised engine cover, likely designed to handle Australia’s higher temperatures, which will require greater heat dissipation compared to the cool three-day test session in Sakhir.
Horner’s team’s disappointment is by no means an admission of defeat. Pierre Waché admitted that there is significant room for improvement before Melbourne and remains confident that the RB21 has untapped potential. Christian Horner is aware that securing Verstappen until the end of his contract (2028) depends directly on providing him with a competitive car. Rival teams could become increasingly attractive, despite Max’s gratitude to the team that brought him to fame and success.
According to information gathered directly from the Middle Eastern circuit, Max Verstappen is highly concerned, and unlike the rest of the team, he is visibly frustrated. The Hasselt-born talent is deeply disappointed and has shared his frustration with close associates. He expected something entirely different after months spent studying the RB20, which, as promised to him, was supposed to shape the new car’s design. Red Bull has closed ranks, trying to reassure him ahead of Australia. If not, serious trouble could be on the horizon…
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