Verstappen doubts Red Bull ‘can fight for the win’ in Melbourne

Reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen has cast serious doubt over Red Bull’s ability to compete for an outright victory at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, set to take place next week in Melbourne.

Last week, Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache conceded that the team’s three-day test in Bahrain had not unfolded as seamlessly as expected.

Although Verstappen’s second-fastest lap on the final day of pre-season testing hinted at the RB21’s potential, Wache acknowledged that the team had encountered teething issues with its new challenge.

Speaking to Dutch media at a Viaplay event on Friday, it was Verstappen’s turn to paint a downbeat picture for Red Bull relative to its front-running rivals McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes.

“I don't think we can fight for the win already in Melbourne,” he stated plainly.

However, he offered a sliver of hope, noting that “everything [on the RB21] can be set up a little bit better in Melbourne than in Bahrain.”

Still, this cautious optimism did little to mask his overarching apprehension about the team’s current form.

McLaren Takes the Lead as Red Bull Plays Catch-Up

When asked about the potential contenders for the 2025 world titles, Verstappen didn’t hesitate to single out McLaren as the team to beat.

“At the moment only one, and that team is orange! That's a very nice colour of course, but from our side, we still have work to do,” said the four-time world champion.

“Other teams want to see some improvements as well, I think, so at the moment one team is clearly in front.

“If you look at the lap times, then I think McLaren is the favourite. On our side, not everything went completely smoothly, but on the other hand we have some ideas on how to improve.”

'Not Worse Than Last Year'

This shift in the pecking order marks a stark contrast to Red Bull’s dominance in previous seasons. Throughout 2024, McLaren surged ahead, while Ferrari and Mercedes solidified their positions as consistent threats.

For Red Bull, the RB21’s persistent issues – understeer in slow corners and oversteer in high-speed sections – suggest that the team has yet to fully resolve the handling woes that emerged last year.

• Read also: Wache responds to Newey’s ‘inexperience’ jab at Red Bull

Verstappen acknowledged some progress, however.

“In terms of balance, it does feel a bit more connected when entering the corners and also in the middle of the corners,” Verstappen analysed.

“But on the other hand, there are still problems with the kerbs and with the bumps.

“Those things are obviously not our strongest points, and I keep mentioning that. It doesn't always have to be said to the outside world, but during the meetings we obviously talk a lot about it.”

Despite the RB21’s shortcomings, Verstappen found a silver lining, sort of, remarking during testing that the new car “can’t be worse than last year” – a faint glimmer of hope, even if it falls short of the RB20’s early-season brilliance.

As the Formula 1 circus descends on Melbourne next week, all eyes will be on Verstappen and Red Bull to see if they can defy the odds.

For now, though, the Dutch superstar’s blunt assessment has set the stage for a gripping season opener, with McLaren poised to capitalize and Red Bull scrambling to regain its footing.

Whether Verstappen’s ideas for improvement can turn the tide remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the fight for supremacy in 2025 is already heating up.

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