Verstappen aims for redemption at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after Bahrain struggles
Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool
Following a challenging Bahrain Grand Prix, Max Verstappen is optimistic about bouncing back at this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit has traditionally been a favorable venue for Red Bull Racing, and the Dutch driver hopes this track will offer a platform to restore form after the team’s uncharacteristic stumble in the opening races of the season.
Red Bull’s record at Jeddah speaks for itself. Since the circuit debuted in 2021, the Milton Keynes-based team has claimed victory in three of the four races held there, solidifying its dominance in the Middle East. Verstappen himself emerged victorious twice, while teammate Sergio Pérez completed the team’s clean sweep for the 2023 edition. The only blemish on their record came during the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, when Verstappen lost out to Lewis Hamilton in a fierce battle. This year’s visit to Jeddah couldn’t be timelier, with Red Bull aiming to recapture its winning ways after struggling with the RB21's performance in Bahrain.
Red Bull’s Bahrain Grand Prix was undoubtedly one of the worst weekends for the team since Formula 1’s regulations overhaul in 2022. The typically front-running squad grappled with an inefficient RB21, missteps in strategy, and operational errors during pit stops. Max Verstappen, who entered the race fresh off a commanding victory in Japan, could only muster a sixth-place finish in Sakhir after overtaking Pierre Gasly on the final lap. The result matches his worst performance from last season and leaves him trailing in the early championship fight.
Both Verstappen and Red Bull are keen to shake off the disappointment from Bahrain, where the drivers were unable to rival McLaren’s pace or Mercedes' strength. Heading into Saudi Arabia, the four-time world champion outlined the importance of a quick turnaround and expressed hope that historical trends at Jeddah would work in the team’s favor.
“Bahrain was a difficult weekend for us and didn’t quite go the way we wanted,” Verstappen admitted in his post-race remarks. “We had a few issues that set us back, and we still have a lot of work to do on the car to get us to where we need to be. However, last year Jeddah was a good circuit for us. It’s a high-speed, semi-urban track that’s fun to drive. Generally, tire degradation is less severe on this circuit, which should help us have a better race.
“We have one last push to make in this third race of this triple-header, so hopefully we can find more pace and put in a similar performance to Japan,” Verstappen added.
The reduced tire degradation at Jeddah is expected to work in Red Bull’s favor, providing a much-needed reprieve after Bahrain exposed weaknesses in the car’s setup and balance.
The stakes are high for Verstappen as he enters the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix sitting outside the top two in the Drivers’ standings for the first time since 2022. With McLaren’s Lando Norris leading the championship and Mercedes finding momentum early in the season, Verstappen knows the importance of closing the eight-point gap to the top before his rivals pull further away.
Having built his 2024 title-winning campaign off a dominant performance in the first half of the season, Verstappen is all too aware of the danger posed by a slow start. A strong result this weekend would not only bolster Red Bull’s morale but also reinforce Verstappen’s position as a top contender for the 2025 championship title.
Expectations are high heading into Jeddah, and both Verstappen and Red Bull Racing will look to capitalize on a circuit that has consistently delivered success. How they respond to their Bahrain setback could define the trajectory of their season. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal moment for the Austrian team as they aim to recapture their winning edge on one of their favorite tracks.
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