Max Verstappen entered this season with hopes to equal Sebastian Vettle’s four World Titles record. The superstar racer has dominated the racing circuit since the beginning of the ground effect rule. Thus, he was already the favorite to win the title.
However, as the season progressed, the RB20 ran into technical problems. The team has failed to fix the issues, making the Milton Keynes-based outfit appear vulnerable. Moreover, the team had a terrible outing in Monza. Thus, the rising McLaren and Lando Norris are fear-mongering the defending champions.
Verstappen’s Blunt Red Bull Assessment Explains The Entire Fiasco
Max Verstappen expressed deep concerns about Red Bull’s current performance despite holding a 62-point lead over Lando Norris in the drivers’ standings. He was blunt in his assessment, stating that neither championship is realistic at the moment. The Dutchman highlighted the dramatic shift in Red Bull’s fortunes, noting that the team has gone from having a dominant car to one nearly undrivable within six to eight months. He emphasized the urgent need for significant changes, admitting that the car’s balance issues, which have been plaguing the team since May, have only worsened against stronger competition.
Moreover, the triple champion also reflected on the weekend’s performance, acknowledging that it was far from satisfactory. He mentioned the frustration of a slow pit stop and an engine issue that prevented him from running at full power for most of the race. Additionally, he pointed out that the team’s strategy could have been better, which might have kept them more competitive.
Red Bull conducted critical discussions on Saturday to address the necessary changes to the RB20. Verstappen, who has been vocal about the car’s handling issues for months, now feels that there’s nothing more left for him to say. The focus is on turning the situation around, though he admits it won’t be easy or quick. He reflected on how last year’s car, which was the most dominant in history, has somehow been transformed into a difficult machine to drive, and now the challenge is to revert it to its former glory. Verstappen made it clear that there are no excuses, and the team must work tirelessly to restore their performance, regardless of how long it takes.
Horner Points Out A Major Problem With Red Bull’s RB20
Christian Horner expressed significant concern about Red Bull’s standing in the constructors’ championship, noting that McLaren is now just eight points behind them. With several races remaining and the RB20 underperforming, he acknowledged that it may only be a matter of time before Red Bull loses its lead. Following the Monza race, Horner emphasized the urgency of turning the situation around quickly. He admitted that the circuit had exposed key deficiencies in the car compared to the previous year, highlighting the immediate need to address these issues to avoid further pressure on the team.
Horner observed Verstappen’s struggles during the race, pointing out that the car’s balance was disconnected, leading to a cascade of problems. The imbalance caused the car to be harder on the tires, forcing the team to make compensatory adjustments that only created new issues. This cycle of trying to fix one problem while creating another has put Red Bull in a difficult position. The RBR chief stressed the importance of breaking this vicious circle to regain competitiveness.