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Red Bull calms fears over Max Verstappen’s ‘broken’ car ahead of crucial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
December 5, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Red Bull calms fears over Max Verstappen’s ‘broken’ car ahead of crucial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 05: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 05, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Steven Tee/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202512050840 // Usage for editorial use only //

Max Verstappen’s Thrilling Abu Dhabi GP: Red Bull’s Rollercoaster Ride of Emotions

In a gripping turn of events at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Red Bull’s star driver Max Verstappen sent shockwaves through the paddock when he declared his car “broken” during the opening practice session. However, a sigh of relief swept through the Red Bull camp as team principal Laurent Mekies stepped in to deliver a reassuring message: “Everything is okay.”

After a tense initial period filled with uncertainty, Mekies confirmed that the concerns over Verstappen’s RB21 were unfounded. “We don’t think the car is actually broken, as we feared at some point in the session,” he stated, bringing calm to what could have been a catastrophic situation for the four-time F1 champion, especially with the drivers’ championship hanging in the balance.

During the first hour of action at the Yas Marina Circuit, Verstappen’s frustration was palpable. Despite clocking in as the second fastest, trailing Lando Norris by a mere eight milliseconds, the Dutchman found the handling of his car unacceptable during his long runs. His grievances echoed over the team radio, revealing a driver on edge as he fought for balance on the notoriously challenging track.

Mekies elaborated on the situation, explaining, “It’s a very, very tough track to get a good balance, especially when the tyres are getting used.” This candor highlighted the complexities of F1 racing, where every little detail can make or break a performance.

As the weekend progressed, Verstappen continued to face challenges. In the second practice session, he once again found himself in the shadow of Norris, finishing three-and-a-half tenths slower. Adding to the drama, Verstappen reported a concerning bounce in Turn 3, a clear sign that the issues with his car were far from resolved.

With only 12 points separating Verstappen from championship leader Norris, the pressure is mounting. Mekies pointed out that while Verstappen was visibly unhappy during his long runs, this was not a death knell for his title hopes. “It’s good news that it’s pointing us towards some potential improvements,” he noted, emphasizing that the issues were not indicative of a broken car, but rather a suboptimal balance that affected most of the competition as well.

The stakes couldn’t be higher as the Abu Dhabi GP unfolds. With Verstappen poised to claw back points and reclaim his dominance, all eyes will be on Red Bull as they navigate the tumultuous waters of racing strategy, driver performance, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. Fans and critics alike will be watching to see if the team can transform these early season hiccups into a triumphant finale.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-seasonLando Norrismax-verstappen-enoracle-red-bull-racing
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