The storm of struggles for Red Bull seems far from over, as a new episode was added during the Hungarian GP. While the energy drink-based team has been enduring some tough times on and off the tracks, teh recent race could aggravate its woes.
While both the RBR drivers failed to enter the top spots, their starlet Max Verstappen is getting gravy criticism for his on-track behavior. The triple champion used foul language out of frustration and even argued with his engineer. While the F1 experts condemn the Dutchman action, the RBR chief has a different outlook.
Red Bull Chief Tries To Extinguish The Fire After A Messed Up Outing
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has confirmed plans for a private discussion with Max Verstappen following the driver’s critical comments and colorful language during the Hungarian Grand Prix. Verstappen, frustrated throughout the 70-lap race, frequently voiced his displeasure over team strategy and other race situations, leading to tense exchanges with his engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase. Despite these tensions, Verstappen finished fifth after a collision with Lewis Hamilton in lap 63, which saw his car survive a significant impact.
Following the race, the Dutchman did not hold back in his criticism, telling detractors to “f**k off.” Further, Horner explained that Verstappen’s frustration was understandable and noted that the driver has a direct line of communication with his engineer, which they will discuss privately. When asked if Verstappen had gone too far, Horner emphasized that the team knows the need to improve performance and that everyone is working hard toward that goal. He also clarified that Lambiase’s late-race comments, which seemed to call Verstappen “childish,” were aimed at others, specifically Mercedes, who were lobbying for penalties.
Moreover, Horner defended Lambiase and reiterated that, despite the heated moments, the long-standing relationship between Verstappen and his engineer remains strong. He acknowledged that some aspects of the race could have been handled better and stated that these would be addressed within the team.
Max Verstappen Critical Of Red Bull After A Flop Show In Hungary
Max Verstappen blamed the poor strategy for losing the tire advantage and failing to finish third. He hadn’t debriefed with his team about the strategy decisions, so he couldn’t comprehend or justify why the focus was on McLaren rather than protecting Mercedes.
Moreover, reflecting on the race, Verstappen acknowledged the complexity of the position, adding that while they lacked the speed to challenge McLaren, a P3 finish was still attainable. However, poor strategy decisions put him at a disadvantage, requiring him to continuously struggle and pass other drivers, which did not pan out in the end. The track conditions exacerbated the difficulty since the heat caused the tyres to overheat while following other vehicles.
