Max Verstappen says Red Bull is so far off pacesetter McLaren in Formula 1 that he feels li꧟ke he is “just taking part” in the 2025 season and not actively competing for the ch🐠ampionship.

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, Verst෴appen 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 championship," Verstappen said, as quoted by.

When pressed further if he meant he doesn’t see himself competing for the titl🧜e, he🍃 replied: "No, I don't."

Verstappen said he was already aware about Red Bull’s d🅠eficit t🌃o McLaren during pre-season testing in Bahrain in February.

“If you look at the gap to McLaren, I am not surprised, no,”ꦯ he said. “I alread🌠y 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, Verstappen 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 i✱sn’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 Alpine 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 po🧔dium or sixth."