As the 2024 F1 season kicked off, the spotlight was firmly on Max Verstappen and Red Bull, the reigning 2023 champions who were expected to continue their dominance. In the initial races, both Verstappen and Red Bull delivered, demonstrating their strength. However, their progress faltered after a controversial allegation against Christian Horner triggered complications and unsettled the entire Milton Keynes team.
An internal power struggle soon developed, causing rifts within the team that negatively impacted their on-track performance. From the Miami Grand Prix onward, the RB20 began facing technical challenges, leading to inconsistent results and putting the team at a disadvantage. In the meantime, McLaren emerged as a strong contender, posing a serious threat to the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. Red Bull now faces the critical task of resolving these technical setbacks to regain their competitive edge. Therefore, the RBR starlet Max Verstappen has asked the team to give a collective effort ahead of the Austin race.
“Everyone has to chip in,” Verstappen Gives A Wake-Up Call To Red Bull Amid World Title Crisis
Red Bull recently confirmed the departures of two significant figures, Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley. However, Max Verstappen emphasized that Red Bull’s success is not driven by just a few key individuals. According to Verstappen, the team’s strength lies in its collective efforts, with every member playing a vital role in contributing to its success.
While these departures may raise concerns, Verstappen remains confident in the team’s ability to move forward. Notably, Pierre Wache and Gianpiero Lambiase have extended their stays at Red Bull, maintaining stability within the team. Verstappen shares a strong working relationship with Wache and consistently engages with him during factory meetings. This connection is essential as Red Bull strives to resolve its recent dip in performance.
Verstappen is optimistic that the team’s current issues are not due to a lack of talent but rather the result of a misstep in development. He believes that Red Bull simply took the wrong direction and now needs to recalibrate its approach. The Dutchman remains confident that the team has the right people in place to steer back on track and is hopeful that, with collective effort, Red Bull can regain its form.
Red Bull Ready To Promote Young Academy Driver As Max Verstappen’s Partner
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s senior advisor, shared insights on the team’s approach for Max Verstappen’s future teammate during an interview with ORF. When questioned about their preferred choice for Verstappen’s partner in the upcoming season, Marko suggested that Red Bull was inclined to pick a driver from their junior program. He highlighted the growing trend of giving young drivers a chance, noting that teams like Mercedes with Kimi Antonelli and Haas with Oliver Bearman were adopting similar strategies. Marko also expressed optimism about Franco Colapinto, who had impressed at Williams, securing a spot in F1.
