Max Verstappen is reaching the peak of his powers after managing to win the Japanese Grand Prix with a significant car disadvantage.
In the hands of any other driver, it appears that his Red Bull car is miserable to drive, yet somehow he managed to fend both McLarens off by himself in Suzuka.
Verstappen is driving at a supreme level, and it’s a tantalising prospect for fans who are ready to see him fight with the likes of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri this year.
The Dutchman trails Norris by just one point in the drivers’ championship as he chases a fifth consecutive triumph – something only achieved by Michael Schumacher in Formula 1’s history.
Norris may have an ‘ominous’ advantage over Verstappen with the McLaren car expected to be suited to the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix.
Even more problematic may be Red Bull’s refusal to make one Verstappen ‘sacrifice’. They are not prepared to give the reigning champion a more balanced car if it means losing braking strength.
READ MORE: Jolyon Palmer corrects ‘sloppy’ Max Verstappen after he made Lando Norris accusation, ‘the data shows…’
Chris Vermeulen states Max Verstappen is ‘loyal’ to Red Bull amid frustrating F1 rumours
Verstappen has been linked with Aston Martin for 2026, as well as Mercedes while Red Bull struggles to produce a car which can compete for victories at every race.
Losing Adrian Newey last year, the man behind a lot of their success over the last 20 years was a big dent to their operation.
There’s an immediate Verstappen problem with Aston Martin, with both of their drivers contracted until the end of 2026. One of them would need to retire early for the 28-year-old to move for next year.
Despite those links, Verstappen’s manager Chris Vermeulen has pledged his star driver’s loyalty to the team he has been with for over a decade now.
“We have a long-term contract, which also says something about how loyal we are to Red Bull, despite everything else that is said and written,” he told the Dutch edition of Motorsport.com.
READ MORE: Max Verstappen will be worried by what ‘experts’ are now saying about McLaren ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix
Red Bull set for major update Max Verstappen is ‘craving’ on 2025 F1 car
The Chinese Grand Prix was a great example of where Red Bull might be this season when their car is failing to operate within the correct setup window.
Verstappen was nowhere in the race and finished a lowly sixth, failing to keep up with the McLaren drivers, the Ferraris or even the Mercedes of George Russell.
The warning means that Verstappen is ‘craving’ a Red Bull update which is set to arrive at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix next month.
As is usually the case, the start of the European leg of the season should trigger various developments from the teams before they turn their attention to the 2026 F1 regulations with long-term gains up for grabs.
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