Verstappen's Red Bull Future in Doubt After Bahrain

Red Bull's performance struggles at the Bahrain Grand Prix have raised significant concerns about Max Verstappen's future with the team. Despite a remarkable victory in Japan, Verstappen only managed a sixth-place finish in Bahrain, plagued by car balance issues and sub-par pit stops. Advisor Helmut Marko and team principal Christian Horner have expressed urgency in resolving performance issues, as Verstappen's contract reportedly includes a performance clause allowing him to leave if not provided with a competitive car. Verstappen is currently third in the championship, trailing McLaren's Lando Norris by eight points. The team faces pressure to deliver upgrades to avoid losing their star driver to rivals like Mercedes or Aston Martin. Verstappen's frustrations are evident as he described his current role as merely participating rather than competing for the championship title.