Max Verstappen’s Shocking P16 In Shanghai – What Went Wrong, And Should Red Bull Be Worried?

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The Formula 1 world stood still for a moment as the first and only free practice session in China came to a close. Fans refreshing the timing sheets expected to see the usual—Max Verstappen at the top or, at the very least, inside the top three.

Instead, reality painted a very different picture.

The reigning three-time world champion found himself languishing in P16, a staggering 1.780 seconds off the pace of session leader Lando Norris. The usually unstoppable Red Bull RB20 seemed out of sorts, and Verstappen himself looked visibly frustrated after exiting the car.

Was this simply a case of sandbagging, or was there something far more concerning going on? Could the Shanghai International Circuit be the first real weakness for Red Bull Racing in 2025?

Let’s unravel this mystery, piece by piece.

A Free Practice Session Like No Other

The Final Standings – A Surprising Order

Here’s how the top five finished in FP1:

Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:31.504
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.290s
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.393s
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – +0.501s
George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.598s

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen finished in P16, posting a 1:33.284—a lap time that looked completely out of character for both him and Red Bull.

Even more worrying? His teammate, Sergio Pérez, finished P12, and while he wasn’t nearly as far behind, his 1:32.940 also raised some concerns.

So what really happened?

Theories Behind Verstappen’s Struggles in Shanghai

With such a shocking result, speculation immediately began swirling. Could it be that Red Bull is finally showing weaknesses? Or was this just a strategic move from the team?

Let’s examine some of the most compelling theories.

1. Track Surface Changes – Has Shanghai Betrayed Red Bull?

The Shanghai International Circuit returned to the calendar for the first time since 2019, and over the past few years, the track underwent resurfacing work.

Drivers reported that the new surface had more grip than expected, meaning teams had to recalibrate their setups quickly.

For Red Bull, this could be a problem.

Their RB20 is designed around efficiency and aerodynamic supremacy, excelling on tracks where tire degradation is a major factor. But if Shanghai’s new surface allows cars to push harder for longer, then Red Bull’s usual advantage might be neutralized.

Could it be that this new track surface is Red Bull’s Achilles’ heel?

2. Verstappen’s Tire Strategy – Was He Holding Back?

Unlike most of the top runners, Verstappen did not set his fastest time on the soft tires. Instead, he ran his quickest lap on the medium compound and aborted his flying lap on the softs.

Could this mean that Red Bull wasn’t going for outright speed?

It’s possible that the team was gathering data on long-run pace, choosing to sacrifice the one-lap leaderboard in favor of a stronger race setup.

Historically, Red Bull has done this before, prioritizing their Sunday performance over a flashy Friday. But 1.7 seconds off the pace? That’s not normal, even for sandbagging.

Which leads us to the next theory…

3. Did Red Bull Experiment With a Radical Setup?

Red Bull has a history of testing experimental setups during free practice, and with just one session before qualifying, this could have been their only chance to gather crucial data.

Given how far off the pace Verstappen was, it’s plausible that Red Bull tried something completely different—maybe an unusual ride height or a radical suspension tweak to adapt to the Shanghai track.

If that’s the case, then qualifying will reveal the truth. If Verstappen suddenly jumps back to the front, it will confirm that FP1 was just a test session gone wrong.

But if he struggles again? That’s a different story altogether.

How Worried Should Red Bull Be?

This isn’t the first time Verstappen has had a bad practice session, but it’s one of the worst in recent memory.

So should Red Bull fans be concerned?

Reasons to Stay Calm

Verstappen thrives under pressure – When faced with a setback, he usually bounces back stronger than ever.
FP1 times don’t always reflect reality – Teams hide their true pace, especially if they’re working on long-run performance.
Setup experimentation is common – Red Bull might have simply been testing a risky setup that they’ll abandon before qualifying.

Reasons to Panic

1.7 seconds off the pace is extreme – Even with heavy fuel loads or setup changes, Verstappen is never this slow.
Shanghai’s resurfacing could hurt Red Bull’s philosophy – If the grippy track negates their tire advantage, Red Bull could be vulnerable this weekend.
Qualifying will be unpredictable – With only one practice session, Red Bull doesn’t have much time to make major corrections.

The Bigger Picture: Could Shanghai Expose Red Bull’s 2025 Weakness?

For the past two seasons, Red Bull has been dominant, but every reign eventually faces challenges.

If Verstappen struggles in qualifying and the race, it could signal a potential weakness in Red Bull’s 2025 car.

Have McLaren and Ferrari finally caught up?
Is Red Bull’s once-invincible car showing its first cracks?
Could Shanghai be the turning point of the championship battle?

The next 24 hours will provide crucial answers.

What Happens Next?

1. Qualifying – The Ultimate Test

If Verstappen suddenly finds his speed and qualifies in the top three, then FP1 was nothing more than a data-gathering exercise.

But if he remains stuck in the midfield, then alarm bells will start ringing.

2. The Sprint Race – A Glimpse into Race Pace

Since Shanghai is hosting a Sprint weekend, Verstappen will have only one chance to see how his race pace compares before the Grand Prix on Sunday.

A strong performance in the Sprint could prove that Red Bull is still the team to beat.

A poor showing? That would be disastrous.

Final Verdict: A Defining Weekend for Verstappen and Red Bull

The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix might be remembered as one of the most pivotal moments of the season.

If Red Bull bounces back, this will be just a minor footnote in Verstappen’s season.
If the struggles continue, then Shanghai could expose the first real cracks in Red Bull’s armor.

One thing is certain:

Formula 1 fans will be watching closely.

Will Verstappen rise from P16 and reclaim his dominance?

Or is this the beginning of a season-defining struggle?

The answers will come very soon.