Red Bull 'concern is great' after Verstappen slow start

Red Bull's early-season struggles amid setup concerns have the team scrambling for ways to improve after four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen finished in sixth place in Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix.

Everything from balance issues with the setup on Red Bull cars to pit stops and Friday practice sessions all have come into focus.

"The concern is great," Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko told Sky Germany.

"Improvements must come in the near future so that he has a car with which he can win again. We need to create a foundation with a car so that he can fight for the world championship."

Verstappen had a dominant 2023 season, winning 19 of the 22 Grand Prix races and finishing on the podium 21 times.

Last season, he won nine times but Red Bull relinquished the constructors' championship to McLaren.

That came, according to The Athletic, as Red Bull developed troubles with balance issues with the cars that are continuing this season. The fix, reportedly, is a long-term one.

F1 analysts such as Sky's Ralf Schumacher, who won six races across 11 F1 seasons, believe Verstappen could go as far as to leave Red Bull if improvements are not forthcoming.

After the race Sunday, Verstappen posted to X: "Difficult weekend. Struggled with the balance and overall pace. We move forward and keep pushing."

Verstappen is third in the drivers standings after four races, eight points behind leader Lando Norris and five behind Australia's Oscar Piastri, both of McLaren.

In the constructors' championship standings, McLaren have 151 points, Mercedes are on 93 and Red Bull are third with 71.

While the 27-year-old Verstappen is under contract through 2028 with Red Bull, Marko has said admitted there are out clauses.