The Bahrain Grand Prix exposed all of Red Bull’s struggles, which had been hidden by Verstappen’s success in Japan.
Max Verstappen’s sixth-place finish in Bahrain reflects the current state of Red Bull and the team’s entire weekend. The Dutchman’s victory in Suzuka was a smokescreen, built on the immense talent of the four-time world champion, which masked all the flaws of the RB21—flaws that came to the surface throughout the Bahrain weekend, starting with tire degradation and brake issues.
The same Verstappen who hasn’t finished outside the top two in the championship standings for three years is now deep in thought, and this start to the season could help the Dutch champion clarify his future. However, the contract between Max and Red Bull is far more complex than it might seem. According to the Daily Mail, Verstappen can free himself from the Anglo-Austrian team depending solely on the on-track results.
The British newspaper reports that Verstappen could trigger his exit clause for 2026 this summer if he’s not at least 3rd in the championship by the August break—and the destination seems pretty clear: Mercedes. According to journalist Ralf Bach, “We’ve learned that the ‘Verstappen clan’ is ready to enter talks with Mercedes. But there’s only one condition: Mercedes must make the first move. The Silver Arrows must show how important it would be for them to sign Verstappen, even financially.”
The Dutch superstar’s entourage is waiting for a call from Toto Wolff, but in the meantime, Mercedes is enjoying the performances of Russell and Antonelli — with the former on the verge of signing a contract extension worth close to €30 million per season.
