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The way forward for Formulation 1 driver has been thrown into doubt by motorsport advisor .
The crew’s senior advisor instructed Sky Germany that “the priority is nice” over the crew’s potential to carry onto Verstappen after technical glitches and poor on-track efficiency noticed the Dutchman end sixth on the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix.
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“Enhancements have to come back within the close to future in order that he has a automotive with which he can win once more,” Marko mentioned. “Now we have to create a foundation with a automotive in order that he can battle for the world championship.”
After 4 grands prix, Verstappen is third within the driver’s standings with 69 factors to his identify. In second is ‘s with 74 factors whereas his teammate presently leads the standings with 77.
Verstappen has to date gained only one race within the 2025 season, in Japan, whereas the McLaren pair has picked up three victories between the 2. Piastri and Norris have been aided by a McLaren automotive that appears planted and dominant on most tracks, whereas the Purple Bull RB21 has appeared scrappy and extra of a handful for its drivers.
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull RacingSteven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
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It’s for that reason that Verstappen’s future has been introduced into query, regardless of the Dutchman holding a contract to race for Purple Bull till the top of the 2028 season. That contract reportedly accommodates varied efficiency clauses to maintain Verstappen in place, and .
The small print of Verstappen’s contract aren’t publicly identified, however such clauses would doubtless name for Purple Bull to offer Verstappen with a successful automotive. This yr’s Purple Bull has been a far cry from the dominant machine it fielded in 2022 and 2023. This led the crew to this weekend, which included defective pit tools that price Verstappen and teammate time in stops.
Purple Bull crew principal Christian Horner beforehand instructed Motorsport.com that his crew “understands the place the problems are,” however warned that introducing options “clearly takes somewhat extra time.” With the ultimate race within the first triple header of this yr’s F1 calendar coming this weekend, that’s time that Purple Bull doesn’t have on its aspect if it needs to take the battle to McLaren quickly.
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