The Red Bull team is enduring a downturn with almost nothing going its way. Whether it’s the internal turmoil or the technical slump, the team has been in a rut since the Miami GP. However, Max Verstappen is still leading the WDC standings, thanks to his early-season dominance. On the contrary, RBR ceded the top spot to McLaren during the Azerbaijan GP.
It would be tough for the Milton Keynes-based outfit to reclaim the top spot. However, the team is still trying to find the real reason for its worries. Amid the chaos, Helmut Marko has provided insight into the team’s misery.
Helmut Marko Admits Mistake After Crossing The “Fine Line” In RB20 Development
Red Bull Racing is putting in relentless efforts to overcome the current performance slump as the team faces increasing competition. After being overtaken by McLaren at the Baku Grand Prix, Red Bull now trails by 20 points in the Constructors’ Championship, a gap Helmut Marko acknowledges is nearly impossible. Despite the challenge, the team is shifting its focus to the Drivers’ Championship, where Max Verstappen still holds a 59-point lead over Lando Norris.
In an effort to stay competitive, Red Bull has made some tough decisions, including abandoning a planned special livery for the Singapore Grand Prix. The team determined that the custom design, inspired by sister team RB’s denim-themed livery, would have added about a kilogram to the car’s weight—a seemingly minor increase but enough to impact lap times by 0.03 seconds. Marko explained that the RB20’s performance issues stemmed from crossing a “fine line” in the car’s development, a delicate balance that can lead to significant performance declines if misjudged. Similar struggles have impacted Ferrari and Aston Martin this season. Fortunately, Red Bull has identified the mistake and is already working to rectify it.
In addition to technical challenges, staff departures have also affected the team. Key figures like Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley have moved on, creating gaps in leadership. To compensate for Wheatley’s exit, Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, has taken on the additional role of ‘head of racing,’ with other internal promotions filling the remaining vacancies. Marko acknowledged the loss of several top employees, noting that Red Bull’s success makes it a target for other teams looking to lure away talent. While Red Bull may not always be able to match the offers competitors can provide, the team is focused on maintaining its structure and ensuring that internal cohesion remains strong.
Red Bull Must Go All-In To Save Max Verstappen’s Title
Helmut Marko acknowledged the tough challenge Red Bull faces in winning the Constructors’ Championship, admitting that overcoming McLaren’s current lead will be difficult. McLaren has proven to be a formidable competitor with a 20-point advantage and a car that performs well across all tracks. As a result, Red Bull’s focus has shifted primarily to Max Verstappen and the Drivers’ Championship.
While Verstappen holds a comfortable lead in the standings, Marko emphasized that nothing is guaranteed, pointing out how quickly things can change in the constructors’ race. He stressed that it would be unwise for the team to become complacent, especially given how rapidly fortunes can shift in Formula 1.
