Max Verstappen dismisses Red Bull exit talk ahead of Saudi GP

Verstappen remains focused on performance as Red Bull struggles to match McLaren’s pace.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing speaks during the drivers' press conference ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on April 17, 2025, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Max Verstappen has dismissed ongoing rumors of a potential Red Bull exit, making it clear that he remains committed to the team and is focused solely on his driving. The four-time Formula One world champion addressed the speculation on Thursday, following a turbulent start to the 2025 season, saying, "I'm just focusing on driving."

The speculation intensified after Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko suggested that Verstappen might leave the team if their performance does not improve. Marko’s comments, made during an interview with Sky Germany, came after Verstappen could only manage a sixth-place finish in Bahrain, well behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who dominated the weekend.

Despite the concern voiced by Marko, Verstappen has shrugged off the rumors, reiterating his commitment to Red Bull and refusing to engage in discussions about other teams. “I'm just focusing on driving and don't think about any other scenarios,” he said. “I just keep working, keep trying to improve the car.”

A tough start to 2025 for Red Bull

Red Bull’s early-season form has raised eyebrows across the paddock. While Verstappen did claim victory in Japan with a commanding performance in Suzuka, the Bahrain Grand Prix was a clear sign that Red Bull’s car has not started the year as strongly as in previous seasons. Verstappen finished sixth, while his new teammate Yuki Tsunoda came ninth—far from the dominance the team displayed last year.

“Bahrain wasn’t a great weekend for us,” Verstappen admitted. “I think we were all pretty disappointed with that. We just keep on trying to improve the car, come up with new ideas. That’s how I go about my weeks—trying to improve the situation.”

The team’s focus is now on addressing the car’s shortcomings, particularly as they prepare for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah—a circuit where Verstappen has performed well in the past, winning both in 2022 and 2024.

Red Bull under pressure as rivals close in

Verstappen’s name has long been linked with teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, and most recently, Aston Martin. With former Red Bull technical guru Adrian Newey now part of Fernando Alonso’s project at Aston, speculation about a possible Verstappen move has been reignited. But the Dutch driver remains unfazed.

“A lot of people are talking about it, except me,” he said. “Like I said before, I just want to focus on my car, work with the people in the team. That’s the only thing I’m thinking about in Formula One at the moment.”

While Verstappen says he is “happy,” he also acknowledged that he is “not very happy with [his] car,” underlining the need for improvement if Red Bull wants to mount a serious title defense this season.

The growing threat of McLaren

McLaren has emerged as the early frontrunner in 2025, with Oscar Piastri winning three of the first four races. Their car looks consistently faster and better balanced than Red Bull’s, putting the reigning champions on the back foot. Verstappen admitted that the team is still “trying things with the car” and is unsure how much they can fix by the time the cars hit the track in Jeddah.

“We’re constantly trying to improve the car,” he explained. “That’s what we’ll try to do again this weekend. How much we can fix it here, I don’t know.”

The level-headed response is consistent with Verstappen’s approach all season. Despite mounting pressure, he continues to play down rumors and focus on the day-to-day work with his engineers. “I just go race by race,” he added. “I think it will be better than Bahrain. The rest is out of my hands.”

Alonso fuels the fire

Fernando Alonso, who sat beside Verstappen during the pre-race press conference, was asked about the possibility of the Dutchman joining Aston Martin. The Spaniard responded diplomatically but admitted the speculation reflects well on his team’s growing ambition.

“These rumors are very good for the team,” Alonso said. “It says a lot about the project we have at Aston and the future we’re building.”

When asked whether he would welcome Verstappen as a teammate, Alonso responded with a smile, “Yes, but it’s unlikely to happen. Very unlikely!”

Verstappen’s realistic outlook

Despite Red Bull’s uncharacteristically shaky start to the year, Verstappen remains pragmatic. He knows what it takes to win championships and understands that success is built over an entire season, not just a few races. His only win so far came in Japan, where he put together a flawless performance in qualifying and race day.

“It was enough to be competitive there,” Verstappen said. “It is a very narrow window. At the moment, we are not the quickest so it is tough to fight for a championship, but it is a long road.”

He also drew comparisons to the 2024 season, which began strongly but saw Red Bull falter mid-year before bouncing back to claim the title. “Last year it all looked great and we know how the season ended up…” he said, suggesting that early results are not always a reliable indicator of how things will play out.

What’s next for Red Bull?

The team will be counting on upcoming updates to their 2025 challenger to close the gap to McLaren. With races in Spain, Canada, and Austria approaching, the calendar provides opportunities for Red Bull to gain momentum.

Helmut Marko’s comments, while likely well-intentioned, have added unnecessary pressure to a team already grappling with performance issues. Whether or not Verstappen is privately entertaining the idea of a future away from Red Bull is anyone’s guess, but publicly, he has stayed the course.

“I am very relaxed,” Verstappen concluded. “We all want to be better, there’s no secret in that.”

As the paddock shifts its focus to Jeddah, all eyes will be on whether Red Bull can bounce back and if Verstappen’s calm demeanor will translate into another victory on a track where he has proven himself before. If not, the whispers of a Red Bull exit may only grow louder.