Red Bull holds crisis talks over Verstappen's future after Bahrain struggles

Max Verstappen faced a disappointing sixth-place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix, triggering a crisis meeting among Red Bull's leadership to address the team's performance issues. Following his struggles, team advisor Helmut Marko expressed serious concerns about Verstappen's future with Red Bull, noting that improvements must come soon to retain the reigning champion, who is currently third in the drivers' standings, eight points behind McLaren's Lando Norris. Tensions escalated as Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, reportedly confronted Marko in the garage after the race, indicating dissatisfaction with the team's direction. Red Bull's principal, Christian Horner, acknowledged the need for urgent solutions to technical problems that have plagued their season, emphasizing that there will be no quick fix. The situation has intensified speculation that Verstappen might consider activating a release clause in his contract if performance does not improve, with potential interest from teams like Aston Martin and Mercedes. As Red Bull grapples with these challenges, fans have expressed a mix of concern and frustration over the team's trajectory in the championship.