Verstappen's manager lashes out at Marko after Bahrain GP chaos, Why the FIA canceled Sainz’s Bahrain grid penalty, and other big updates

Verstappen's manager lashes out at Marko after Bahrain GP chaos

Max Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, reportedly had a heated confrontation with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko following a disappointing Bahrain Grand Prix, where Verstappen finished sixth. Verstappen was frustrated with his car's poor performance, handling issues, and pit stop problems, which contributed to his struggles in the F1 championship. Vermeulen reportedly confronted Marko, giving him a piece of his mind before storming off. Red Bull's senior management later held a crisis meeting to address the team's ongoing issues with car performance and pit stops.

Click here to read the full article by Lewis Larkam (crash.net)

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Why the FIA canceled Sainz’s Bahrain grid penalty

The FIA admitted it didn’t realize Carlos Sainz had served his 10-second time penalty during the Bahrain Grand Prix before wrongly giving him a 10-place grid drop for the next race. Sainz had forced Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli wide at Turn 10, got penalized, and later pitted to serve the penalty before retiring due to significant car damage from earlier contact with Yuki Tsunoda. A system error meant race control wasn’t properly alerted that Sainz completed his penalty, leading the FIA to briefly punish him again before realizing the mistake. After confirming the error, the FIA officially canceled Sainz’s grid drop for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Click here to read the full article by Dan Lawrence (motorsportweek.com)

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Piastri could be the new title contender

Oscar Piastri won the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first repeat winner this season, and closed the gap to Lando Norris by three points. After a tough start in Melbourne, Piastri showed strong form with wins in China and Bahrain and a podium finish in Japan. Lando Norris struggled with McLaren's new car, qualified sixth, and faced issues during the race. With no major competition from behind, the battle for the 2025 title looks set to be a McLaren duel unless other teams make significant improvements.

Click here to read the full article by Joe Holding (topgear.com)

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Struggling Norris needs to find answers

Lando Norris had a tough Bahrain Grand Prix, as his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri stole the spotlight. Norris admitted to discomfort with the 2025 car, which led to a series of mistakes, including a grid penalty and missed overtakes. Despite his frustrations, Norris remains determined, confident in his abilities, and hopeful he can regain his rhythm and challenge for better results in future races.

Click here to read the full article by Filip Cleeren (motorsport.com)

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Doohan has until summer to prove himself

Jack Doohan's seat at Alpine should be safe until at least the summer, despite a tough start to his first F1 season. There were concerns about him being replaced by Franco Colapinto, who joined as a reserve driver. Doohan has made mistakes, like crashes and penalties, but his speed and teamwork have earned support from key Alpine figures. Doohan still has a chance to prove himself and secure his place for the rest of the season.

Click here to read the full article by Scott Mitchell-Malm & Jon Noble (the-race.com)