F1 Today | Verstappen contract speculation swirls and gutted Gasly reveals Bahrain GP thoughts

22:00, 14 Apr

byToby Nixon

GPblog can once again bring you a recap on a few of the top stories from the F1 world on Monday, April 14. After the Bahrain Grand Prix, there is a quick turnover, as the final leg of the triple header takes place in Jeddah for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend.

Verstappen contract chatter

After a disappointing evening in Bahrain where Max Verstappen with a subpar RB21 in terms of performance could not play a significant role, the crisis at Red Bull Racing has resurfaced in full force. This led to new speculations about whether or not Verstappen will remain with the team with which he has celebrated so many successes.

Of course, Red Bull does not want to let its star driver go without a fight. But the team is powerless if Verstappen uses one of the many performance clauses in his contract. GPblog has learned from various sources that the shrewd manager Raymond Vermeulen included in the contract during the last negotiations that Verstappen can leave if he is not in the top three of the F1 championship.

Currently, Verstappen is in third in the standings, with 69 points. Behind Verstappen is George Russell with 63 points. Russell, who is in excellent form, could be the one to push Verstappen off third place.

In that case, Russell could be the one who makes it possible for Verstappen to activate the aforementioned clause. In a sense, this is ironic because Mercedes would be the most logical candidate to bring in Verstappen if he does leave Red Bull. Then, who at Mercedes would have to make room for the four-time world champion?

'Mixed feelings' for Gasly after Bahrain GP

Pierre Gasly is deeply disappointed after being overtaken by four-time world champion Max Verstappen in the closing stages of the Bahrain Grand Prix. While the loss stings now, he believes he'll be able to see it in a more positive light with time. Throughout the race, he found himself locked in a tense battle with former Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen. Lap after lap, he successfully held off the Dutchman’s advances, but heartbreak came just before the checkered flag when Verstappen managed to snatch sixth place from him.

"I absolutely hate losing a position in the last lap, especially after having to work so hard over the last 20 laps trying to keep Max at bay," he explained to GPblog and other media present. See Gasly's full reaction by clicking here.

Red Bull feels Wheatley affect

Former F1 team manager Peter Windsor slammed Red Bull in his post Grand Prix analysis.

"Two slow pit stops for Max Verstappen. Let me repeat that. Red Bull making two slow pit stops for Max Verstappen. I don't think that's ever happened. Two stops in one race, both of them disastrous."

And the former Williams employee points out what he believes could be a connection to the slow pit stops. "Interesting, isn't it? Jonathan Wheatley is now at Sauber. And you wonder whether there's a bit of an effect here of Jonathan Wheatley. I wonder whether that's something that Red Bull is now missing." See Windsor's full conclusion, and why he believes that Verstappen is still full of hunger by clicking this link.