In a surprising turn of events, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko insinuated that Max Verstappen’s overly cautious driving might have cost them a victory at the F1 2025 Chinese Grand Prix. The team’s performance was underwhelming during the opening segment of the race at the Shanghai International Circuit, with Verstappen battling Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli for the seventh spot, not McLaren’s Oscar Piastri for the top position.
As the race progressed, however, Verstappen came into his own. The reigning world champion was the speediest on the track, fending off Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton and even resisting Hamilton’s late offensive when Ferrari opted for a two-stop strategy. Despite finishing 16 seconds behind the lead and just a stone’s throw from the podium, Verstappen’s performance in the second half has given Red Bull hope for the season.
Marko, however, suggested that the results could have been even better. He implied that Verstappen’s cautious approach, possibly influenced by the medium tyre’s vulnerabilities displayed during the sprint race, might have played a role in the missed opportunity for a GP win.
In contrast, Verstappen didn’t align with Marko’s viewpoint. He argued that the medium tyres’ high degradation during the Sprint Race, which even led Williams’ Carlos Sainz to opt for fresh tyres, meant he couldn’t compete at full throttle. Verstappen insisted he was simply running his own race on his own terms.
The Dutchman, a 63-time race winner, said his focus was on preserving the tyres and driving at his own pace, rather than pushing too hard and aggressively degrading the tyres. He admitted to struggling in the initial phase but said the grip improved towards the end, which seemed to boost his speed.
In spite of the debate around Verstappen’s driving, the bigger issue for Red Bull is the lackluster pace they showed at the Chinese GP, a stark contrast from their dominant 13-second victory in Shanghai in 2024. With the absence of Adrian Newey, the man at the helm of their development, the team is facing a significant challenge.
Marko revealed plans for a crucial meeting in Milton Keynes this week to strategize their path forward. The options on the table are either to strive to catch up with McLaren or to shift their focus fully to the upcoming F1 2026 season. Marko hinted that the team might lean towards the latter, but made it clear that they won’t back down easily.
As Red Bull grapples with their next steps, the team remains determined to score as many points as possible. Despite their concerns, they are far from admitting defeat. The unfolding story of Red Bull’s performance in the 2025 F1 season continues to captivate, and the world watches with bated breath to see how they will navigate their way forward.