Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko does fear Max Verstappen might force a move elsewhere if results don’t improve.
So far this season the Dutchman has two podiums and four fourth places to his name as a new engine partnership with Honda gets off to a solid start.
However, the more years that tick by without Verstappen challenging for the championship, Marko knows the pressure will rise.
“Of course I fear that Max will leave,” he told Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport.
“At the moment there is only one winning car on the grid and that’s Mercedes. We have taken a step and our performance is better, but we are still not fast enough to win races.”
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The signs of frustration are there too, with the 21-year-old voicing disappointment at this year’s RB15.
“It is very easy. We just do not have such a good car as last year. Overall, the car is not as good as last year,” he told Ziggo Sport.
“In terms of power, I think we are closer to Mercedes, but the car is certainly no better Mercedes right now.
“We’re losing too much time on that. Honda is doing well, but now we just have to look at the team and improve the car.”
