Ahead of the Bahrain GP, world champion Max Verstappen expressed his concerns over the expectedly high tyre degradation on his Red Bull. Securing four consecutive world championship titles, driving the fastest car on the grid for the first three, Verstappen increasingly struggled last season. Yet, the 27-year-old driver managed to keep his title in a slower car in 2024, affirming his position as the current leader in Formula 1. Similarly, despite driving the seemingly third-fastest car on the grid, the Dutchman secured a shock victory last weekend at Suzuka.
Red Bull world champion Max Verstappen worries over tyre deg in Bahrain GP
Speaking in his print media session on Thursday, the world titleholder complained that overheating gravely damaged the tyres on the RB21 in the Australian and Chinese GPs.
“The first stint in Australia we got destroyed also with the overheating and deg. Same in China.
“I would say to a certain extent also in Suzuka, but you can’t pass because Lando was closing up to me in the end of that first stint again and I knew that was coming.”
Despite driving a disappointingly slow car compared to the McLaren one, Verstappen managed to come home with the trophy at the Japanese GP. Yet, he partially credits this victory to Suzuka’s newly resurfaced track, reduced tyre degradation, and cooler temperatures.
“I was just driving to my own pace, but I think because the track temp dropped quite a bit, on the day that helped a bit.”
In previous years, the Red Bull used to thrive in hot temperatures, however “cars change” as Verstappen stated. Reflecting on Red Bull’s domination in the past seasons, Verstappen further explained “people change, teams change, right? So, what happened in 2023 is not the same anymore.”
The Red Bull driver is concerned that the hard surface and high temperatures in Bahrain GP could hinder his performance.
“Here, it’s going to be hot. We drive in the night, so it’ll cool down a little bit, but it’s still hot – with aggressive tarmac.”
Verstappen counts on further improvements at Red Bull to match the McLarens
When comparing his RB21 to McLaren’s MCL39, Verstappen admitted to a less than optimal start of the season in terms of car development.
“On paper from what we’ve seen so far this season, that’s not let’s say ideal for us compared to McLaren.”
“[…] It’s not good enough at the moment, but we know that.”
The MCL39 is the clear dominant car of this 2025 season, leaving the RB21 in third place. For Verstappen his car’s characteristics contrast with the McLaren’s versatility.
To go after Norris and Piastri in the ever-faster McLarens and fight for the title, Red Bull and Verstappen need to improve rapidly.
“We are not there. We first need to get to that point, because otherwise there’s no point to even discuss a championship” stated the World Champion, unsatisfied with the current state of the RB21. Verstappen has chosen to focus on current performance rather than looking ahead to his potentially next title and catching the McLarens in terms of performance.
“Honestly, I don’t like to really think about it too much and just focus on finding performance in the car. As soon as we are close to them or level, then I know that it’s going to be fine.”
Lessons drawn from Suzuka
With an excellent run at the Suzuka track, the Dutchman now has a better understanding of his car overall. As Sakhir is characteristically quite different to Suzuka, Red Bull will be running a different set-up from last week’s, explained Verstappen.
“It’s a very different track naturally. So, the setup will be, of course, a bit different. But hopefully you pick up from some learnings in the car, what it likes or doesn’t like, most of the time.”
Nevertheless, the Red Bull driver expects his car to be “in a bit more of a stable window”. He clarified that “it will be a little bit more stable naturally, just because of the layout of the track. There are not that many super high-speed corners.”. Verstappen however lamented the lack of current opportunity in the RB21.
“But again, as soon as you want to try and go for the ultimate performance in the car, it’s a very narrow window at the moment.”
More work ahead despite Suzuka win.
“Having a win is great. Everyone loves winning.” Verstappen noted. In an intransigent approach to performance, the Dutchman said “But we’re also very aware that we still need to improve. That’s been the target from the start.”
On his pole position last Sunday in Japan, Verstappen recognized that “it’s better than being second or third coming out of that weekend. So, we take it.”. Still satisfied, he acknowledged:
“We’re proud that we maximised our performance there.
“The car was not easy to balance out and we made it, let’s say, drivable. And yeah, on the Sunday it was good enough to hang in there.”
Reflecting on his recent victory, Verstappen remains cautiously hopeful.
Max Verstappen has been known for his cold victory celebrations over the years. In Suzuka however, the 27-year-old driver rejoiced over the Red Bull radio after his pole in Qualifying: “I did get happy, of course, after qualifying, just because my weekend so far was super difficult. I didn’t feel comfortable. So, then the relief was there in qualifying.”.
Verstappen was satisfied with the overall performance of the Red Bull team in the Japanese GP.
“I was very happy on the Sunday because I think as a team, we executed everything very well. The pit was not fantastic, but the rest was really well managed […].”
