Why Verstappen is unsure if Red Bull can close 0.5s gap to McLaren

Just a week after an unexpected Formula 1 victory in Japan, Red Bull was brought back down to reality in Bahrain.

While Max Verstappen made the difference in Suzuka with a sensational pole lap — and it proved impossible to overtake on Sunday — the race weekend in Bahrain better exposes the true pecking order. Speaking to Dutch media, including Motorsport.com, on Saturday, Verstappen stated that Red Bull is currently half a second per lap behind McLaren.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko pointed to a ‘massive brake problem’ as the main cause for Verstappen’s deficit and thought Verstappen would have been third or fourth on the grid without that issue. However, the reigning world champion thinks this qualifying session shows the real picture: “If I had to do qualifying again, then I have no idea what else we could have changed.”

In F1 terms, half a second is an eternity, prompting the question: can Red Bull still turn things around this season? Verstappen is only one point behind Lando Norris in the championship standings, but he feels that doesn’t reflect the real picture.

“Others have improved more than we have, that’s clear,” said Verstappen. “Others simply have their things better sorted at the moment. We definitely need to make big steps, but that’s nothing new. It’s not like everything suddenly has changed today.”

After all, Verstappen had seen this coming for quite some time and has consistently voiced it, especially internally — and the Bahrain weekend doesn’t tell him anything he didn’t already know.

The first major upgrade package is reportedly set for round seven at Imola in mid-May, though when asked if he’s counting down the days, Verstappen replied: “No. It’s also very hard to say what we can expect from that. I have no idea.”

The world champion has admitted in the paddock that he’s currently only “taking part” in the championship, not fighting for the title. Asked if a turnaround is still possible this year, Verstappen said: “I hope so, but it’s hard to pinpoint when or even if that can happen. We’re working on it, we’re doing our best, but that’s all we can do.”

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

A key point is that Red Bull’s issues are complex, as Verstappen explained: “The problem is that it’s not just one issue. It’s a combination of things, and the issues are also a little bit different again at every track. But in any case, it’s a tough situation at the moment.”

The word “tough” refers back to the half-second gap, which Verstappen knows won’t be easy to close. “Yeah, half a second is a lot… But we’re also really struggling with the car balance,” he continued. “So it’s two things. We need to add more grip and we need to find a better balance. It’s two areas that need improvement.”

And time is limited. The first updates need to have an immediate impact, as every F1 team will need to shift their focus toward 2026 at some point. “I know that, but we’ll see [whether we can turn things around],” Verstappen said.

He has already discussed the development direction with the team a few weeks ago in Milton Keynes, but now just wants the squad to deliver: “You know, I don’t need to hear how much is coming or how much it’s supposed to help. I just want it to come — then we’ll see how much it actually helps.”

However, the four-time world champion emphasised that he’s staying calm despite the current struggles. Asked how the situation affects him personally, Verstappen responded with a smile: “Not at all — life goes on, right? I always try to make the best of it. I could start shouting and screaming, but that won’t help either. I’m not frustrated — I’m totally zen!”