The Red Bull team had a relatively decent Singapore GP, as Max Verstappen claimed the second step on the podium. However, the team failed to win another GP, extending its winless streak. Further, the McLaren team has increased the lead on the Constructors’ Cup standings. Meanwhile, Lando Norris is also cutting short Max Verstappen’s WDC lead. Despite their efforts, the team remains clueless about its technical issues, as the low-riding RB20 continues to go lower on the performance graph.
Helmut Marko, the RBR senior advisor, is never shy about expressing his emotions, regardless of the team’s performance. The Austrian executive was disappointed with the Milton-based outfit as the team continued its downturn. Moreover, Marko voiced his concern after the Monza GP as the team hit a new low in Italy.
Marko’s Monza Statement Continues To Prove Right Amid Red Bull’s Slump
Earlier in the Monza showdown, the Red Bull hit a new low with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez finishing slower in Q3 than they had in Q2, resulting in a fourth-row lockout. The team entered the weekend with optimism, believing the balance issues seen in the RB20 had been addressed during an experimental session in Zandvoort. However, Verstappen was left baffled by the sudden shift in car behavior between Q2 and Q3, something he admitted was unlike anything he had experienced. To make matters worse, McLaren secured a front-row lockout, positioning themselves well to close the 30-point gap to Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship. Red Bull’s struggles have become so evident that Helmut Marko admitted the team can no longer depend on Verstappen’s driving skills to mask the car’s shortcomings. He believes the turning point occurred after the Miami Grand Prix when Red Bull remained dominant. Since then, Verstappen’s wins were due more to his talent than the car’s capabilities.
Both Verstappen and Perez have been vocal about Red Bull taking the wrong path in car development, a sentiment that team principal Christian Horner has denied. Despite the team’s push to enhance the car with upgrade packages, the RB20’s handling has drawn further complaints from Verstappen. As other teams also grapple with the complexities of the current regulations and unexpected issues with new parts, Marko acknowledged the challenge Red Bull faces in addressing its problems.
With the cars’ complexity making fixes difficult, Marko emphasized the importance of the break before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He stressed that the situation is becoming increasingly serious, and the team needs to pinpoint when things started to go wrong. Looking ahead, if McLaren and Red Bull finish the Italian GP where they start, McLaren could take the lead in the Constructors’ Championship.
Red Bull Team Ready To Use Singapore GP Information For Austin Upgrade
Christian Horner has indicated that the team has gathered a wealth of information from recent races, which will play a crucial role in shaping their upgrades for the upcoming race in Austin. He emphasized that the upgrades are not yet finalized and are subject to change based on the insights they’ve collected.
Moreover, Horner noted that the characteristics of the upcoming tracks vary significantly, with Austin featuring numerous tight corners. He pointed out that the circuits in Mexico and Brazil also present unique challenges. This diversity in track layout will provide an interesting context for implementing their updates, as the team aims to optimize their car’s performance to suit each venue effectively.