F1 News: No chance Verstappen can win 5th title in 2025 with ‘RB21 sled’
(GMM) Max Verstappen has dismissed his current chances of winning a fifth consecutive world championship in 2025 driving the Red Bull RB21 sled.
When asked how he feels at the wheel of the RB21 in Bahrain, the Dutchman told Viaplay: “I can’t say that on TV.
“I couldn’t brake, I couldn’t steer, I had no traction and I have no balance.”
When asked when he had felt so bad in a Formula 1 car, Verstappen quipped: “Let me think – I think a few days ago.”
Editor’s Note: Since the start of the 2025 campaign, we have accurately deemed the Red Bull RB21 a ‘sled,’ a term that indicates a car is a real dog.
Team advisor Dr Helmut Marko, however, said telemetry data had revealed a definite problem with Verstappen’s brakes – and not the ones on Yuki Tsunoda’s car.
One theory is that the problem could be related to Red Bull having switched from Hitco to Brembo brake materials over the winter.
“So far we have no explanation for it,” Marko said. “First we need to find out the cause of the huge brake problem and then consult with the FIA to see if we can adjust, grind or replace the brake pads.”
Verstappen admitted it was a particular problem in qualifying: “Every time I step on that pedal, it’s like you’re kicking a wall.
“But I’ve been suffering from that all weekend – or actually all year.”
Another theory is that, in the last year of the current regulations, the F1 cars have become so complex and so fast that they are also incredibly volatile.
“Nobody knows what’s going on anymore,” Marko explained. “(Lando) Norris has been at the front the whole time and suddenly he’s sixth. (Pierre) Gasly hasn’t been anywhere for three races and he’s fourth here. And we’re faced with this puzzle with the brakes.”
Verstappen, however, disagrees with Marko that the specific problem could actually just be the brakes. “We have tried everything on the car and nothing works, so that is not the problem,” he said.
“If I could do qualifying again, I would not know what we should change. We have already tried everything.”
And so, despite winning from pole at Suzuka and closing the gap to McLaren’s Norris to a single point, Verstappen says he’s not really a championship contender.
“They (McLaren) are not my competitors at the moment,” he said. “I am only participating in this championship.
“If you look at the entire season, I don’t think we really have a chance.”
Related Article: Just as Marquez had to leave Honda, Verstappen must leave RB
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Can Verstappen break his Red Bull Contract?
A report from the Daily Mail has shared more details about the situation regarding their star driver’s future.
Verstappen’s current contract runs until 2028, however, there are several performance clauses that could shorten his spell with the team.
The report suggests that Verstappen has a get-out clause in his contract that allows him to walk away if he ever falls out of the top three in the drivers’ championship.
That clause can be activated as early as the summer break, and while Verstappen currently sits 16 points ahead of fourth-place George Russell, that could easily change over the next few race weekends.
If he triggers the clause, he has several options available to him.
He could leave immediately if the right offer arrived, or renegotiate his contract into a one-year deal that concludes at the end of 2026.
The timing of that deal would be perfect, as it would allow him to study which team has nailed the new regulations and take his pick if he’s unhappy with Red Bull’s next generation of cars.
Related Rumor: F1 Rumor: Aston Martin prepared to pay Verstappen $1.2 billion