Max Verstapp🌜en says Red Bull is so far off pace✃setter McLaren in Formula 1 that he feels like he is “just taking part” in the 2025 season and not actively competing for the championship.

The RB21’s shortcomings were laid bare in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix, as 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Verstappen languished in seventh place - more than half a second off the pace of polesitter 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Oscar Piastri.

Even championship leader 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lando Norris, who struggled to put together a clean lap in Q3, and Alpine’s 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Pierre Gasly ended up outqualifying the four-time champion.

A week on from his stunning victory in the Japanese GP that thrusted him just one point behind Norris in the standings, Verstappen cut a 🉐dejected tone while speaking to Dutch media in Bahrain.

"McLaren are not my rivals right now. I am just 🔜taking part in this world championsh♎ip," Verstappen said, as quoted by.

When pressed further if he meant he doesn’t see himself competing for the tiꩲtle, he rep🌱lied: "No, I don't."

Verstappen said he was already aware about Red Bull’s deficit to ඣMcLaren during pre-season testing in Bahrain in February.

“If you look at the gap to McLaren, I am not surpriꦐsed, no,” he said. “I already said that to the 💫team during winter testing. I said 'the gap is half a second' and that is what it has now proven to be. So in that respect I was right."

At Suzuka, Versta💝ppen was able to retain his lead and score a lights-to-flag victory, the 64th of his career.

However, starting seventh on a high-degradation Bahrain International Circuit, the Dutchman isn🐬’t even sure if he can finish on the podium this time.

"Lando [Norris] normally just drives to the front, with the speed they have. Of course, there's an Aไlpine that could drop back, but other than that it will be tough to move up because our pace is all similar. I will do my best, but I don't know if it'll be enough for a podium or sixth."