Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko has expressed his concerns about the future of Max Verstappen with the Formula One World Championship rival team, in the event that he fails to offer the four-time world champion a faster car.
Verstappen, winner of the Japanese Grand Prix on April 6, struggled to secure sixth place in Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix, and at one point was in last place. Last year, the 27-year-old Dutch driver won the race after starting from pole position in Sakhir for the second consecutive year, while also setting the fastest lap.
He currently sits third in the Drivers' Championship standings, eight points behind leader Lando Norris, a McLaren driver.
Marko, motorsport advisor at Red Bull, told the German broadcaster Sky : "There are great concerns. Improvements must be made in the near future to give him a car that will allow him to win again."
He highlighted growing fears about the possible loss of Verstappen, who could join another team next season. He added: "We need to create a base for a car with which he can fight for the world championship."
The British channel Sky Sports It was reported that Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, shouted at Marko in the team garage after the race. Dutch journalists quoted Verstappen as saying he felt he was now only competing in the championship, rather than fighting for the title.
The reigning world champion is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, but Marko previously confirmed that the driver has an exit clause.
Verstappen's name has been linked to teams like Mercedes and Aston Martin, who recently brought on board former Red Bull technical director Adrian Newey, and their future partners Honda, Red Bull's current engine supplier.
After starting from seventh position, Verstappen encountered a problem during the race related to the overhead signaling system, which indicates the time the driver must leave the refueling zone.
Team principal Christian Horner told reporters: "It was a tough race for the team, nothing went right from the start. But it's a 24-race championship, we're eight points behind in the drivers' standings and we know we have to move forward very quickly."
The championship now heads to Jeddah, where the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will take place next week.
