The year 2023 was fantastic for Red Bull and Max Verstappen. The duo won practically every GP while staying well ahead of the competition. Their dominance made them appear untouchable, as Max Verstappen won his third consecutive world title. Despite the controversy surrounding his first world championship, Verstappen has remained a force to be reckoned with. He is aiming for his fourth title in 2024 after winning three consecutive world championships and five of his last seven GPs.
Recently, Max Verstappen equaled Ayrton Senna’s record for the most consecutive poles. Moreover, Verstappen won the Imola GP with the eighth straight pole despite a problem-ridden RB20 and a late charge by Lando Norris. However, since Lando Norris won the Miami GP, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has been in a verbal exchange with Red Bull officials, and his latest remark on Max Verstappen may surprise the Orange army.
Brown Back Lando Norris To Beat Max Verstappen In A ‘Fair Fight’
The team’s administration has come under fire since the departure of Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer. As the internal power struggle unfolds, the rival teams are not holding back, using any opportunity to mock one another. Zak Brown has aroused outrage with his recent remarks on Milton Keynes employees. He said Red Bull employees frequently approached him, claiming a hostile environment at RBR. Furthermore, he believes Adrian Newey was the first domino to fall, with others following after. He is now targeting Max Verstappen, the top Red Bull driver.
Meanwhile, the McLaren boss praised Verstappen’s car handling abilities, describing him as “one of the best drivers.” He was open about the importance of Red Bull’s RB20 in Verstappen’s performance. He answered the question of whether a great driver or a top designer is more critical, arguing that a successful team needs both. Furthermore, Brown emphasized that a team requires a star driver, but it always begins with a powerful car. Moreover, he stated that six to seven drivers might win the world championship with RBR’s RB20 chassis. However, he clearly stressed the car’s role in Verstappen’s dominance, claiming that the Dutchman would not have been as victorious with any other team. However, Max Verstappen showcased his excellence during the latest Imola GP. The three-time world champion passed Lando Norris with almost no grip on hard tires. The Dutchman lifted his fifth silverware of 2024, defeating the McLaren driver by 0.7 seconds.
Carlos Sainz’s F1 Future Cast in Doubt as Mercedes and Red Bull Withdraw Interest
Carlos Sainz, who will be replaced by Lewis Hamilton, might not get a drive in 2025. Despite having an excellent current season, the Spaniard has yet to find a team for the upcoming season. While Mercedes intended to offer Sainz a one-year contract, primarily focusing on young Italian prodigy Kimi Antonelli, it might not be feasible for Sainz to be a one-year ‘stop-gap’ driver.
Similarly, despite Sergio Perez’s bad performance, Red Bull may give him another shot. As a result, Carlos Sainz could not reach an agreement with any of the teams. Thus, Audi, the sole team left, recently approached the Spanish driver. While they have shown tremendous interest in Sainz, the team requires him to make a decision before the Monaco Grand Prix. It will be intriguing to see how the 29-year-old reacts to the Audi’s conditions.
