Max Verstappen Faces Challenges Despite Championship Lead
The recent performances of Max Verstappen have been under intense scrutiny as the renowned driver has not secured a win in his last three races. The Hungarian Grand Prix proved particularly challenging, with Verstappen finishing in fifth place, a position that has brought to light several issues within the Red Bull team.
During the Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen encountered a significant collision-induced strategy issue, which disrupted his race and led to a loss of track position during pit stops. Rivals like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc capitalized on these moments, further complicating Verstappen's race. His frustration was palpable. "No mate, don't give me that s--- now. You guys gave me this s--- strategy, OK? I'm trying to rescue what's left. F---," Verstappen exclaimed over the radio.
Despite these setbacks, Verstappen maintains a substantial 76-point lead in the championship standings. However, this lead does not fully reflect the car's performance issues that have emerged in recent races. Red Bull introduced new upper bodywork and a revised front wing on Verstappen's RB20 during the Hungarian Grand Prix, but these upgrades didn’t translate into the expected dominance. Verstappen candidly acknowledged, "For sure the upgrades work, but we're still not first, right? So we need more. It's as simple as that."
Team principal Christian Horner shared his perspective on the upgrades, emphasizing the need for broader improvements. "I think we've got more performance to bring. We need to expand that operating window for the car, so when the car is in the right window it qualifies on pole by four tenths like it did in Austria," said Horner.
Verstappen’s recent struggles also appear to stem from an overall misalignment within the team. "I already said yesterday maybe some people are not on the same wavelength," he remarked, hinting at underlying communication issues. The driver also noted that despite pushing harder than last year, his efforts are not yielding the necessary lap times. "I feel like I probably push harder than I did last year, but it's just not coming anymore to have these great lap times. So I guess it just means that we are a bit slower. So we have work to do. Simple as that," he said, summarizing the current state of affairs.
Red Bull’s weekend in Hungary was further marred by Verstappen losing critical track positions due to strategic errors during pit stops. This left Verstappen vocal about his dissatisfaction, "It's quite impressive how we let ourselves get undercut. It's completely f---ed my race," he voiced. However, Horner clarified that some of the radio frustrations were directed at other competitors. "GP at that point wasn't referring to Max; he was referring to others on the radio complaining about penalties," he explained.
Looking forward, the team is optimistic about the upcoming race at Spa-Francorchamps. Historically kinder to Red Bull’s strengths, this venue is expected to offer a better platform for Verstappen to showcase his skills and the car's potential. Amidst the challenges, Verstappen remains focused on improvement and alignment within the Red Bull camp. "I don't think we need to apologize; I just think we need to do a better job. I don't know why people think that you cannot be vocal on the radio. I mean, this is a sport," Verstappen asserted, maintaining his candid approach.
Despite the recent lackluster performances, Verstappen’s competitive spirit and determination shine through. His closing comment encapsulates his relentless drive. "If some people don't like that, then they can stay home," he boldly stated, reaffirming his commitment to pushing the boundaries and striving for excellence in the races to come.