Max Verstappen Admits Blame as Red Bull S...read more

Max Verstappen Admits Blame as Red Bull S…read more

Max Verstappen has taken full responsibility for his performance at the Spanish Grand Prix, issuing an official statement following a challenging race that saw him finish outside the podium places.

The Red Bull Racing driver, who has dominated much of the 2025 Formula 1 season, struggled with balance and tire degradation throughout the race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. After a difficult start and a series of strategic missteps, Verstappen was unable to recover lost ground, eventually finishing in P5.

In a statement released by Red Bull Racing late Sunday evening, Verstappen acknowledged his role in the team’s underwhelming result.

“Today just wasn’t good enough from my side,” Verstappen said. “I made a mistake early on that compromised our entire race, and from there it was a constant struggle. The team gave me a solid car, but I couldn’t extract the performance when it mattered most.”

The Dutchman, known for his typically composed yet aggressive driving style, appeared visibly frustrated after the race but was quick to credit his competitors.

“Congrats to the guys at Mercedes and Ferrari — they were very strong today,” he added. “It’s a long season, and we’ll learn from this. I’ll make sure I come back stronger in Austria.”

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner also commented on the team’s performance, stating that while the race didn’t go their way, they remain confident in their pace heading into the next round.

Verstappen’s admission is a rare moment of self-criticism from the three-time world champion, underscoring both the pressure at the top and the level of accountability within the Red Bull camp.

The F1 calendar now turns to the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, where Verstappen will look to bounce back and reinforce his championship lead.