Verstappen's Struggle Continues as Red Bull Seeks Solutions
Max Verstappen's quest for dominance faces a new challenge, with the Dutch driver not claiming victory in his last three races. His recent outing at the Hungarian Grand Prix epitomized this struggle, finishing fifth amid a series of setbacks and tough competition.
The Hungarian Grand Prix saw Verstappen entangled in a collision-induced strategy issue, a dilemma that crippled his race. Despite these hurdles, Verstappen maintains a substantial 76-point lead in the championship, displaying his season-long consistency and form.
Red Bull introduced significant upgrades to Verstappen's RB20 in Hungary, featuring new upper bodywork and a revised front wing. However, the upgrades have not yet yielded the breakthrough results the team hoped for. Verstappen candidly stated, "For sure the upgrades work, but we're still not first, right? So we need more. It's as simple as that."
The race at Spa-Francorchamps looms, with Red Bull hopeful that the challenging circuit will better suit their car. Reflecting on the recent struggle, Verstappen noted that Red Bull still needs to refine their approach, saying, "I already said yesterday maybe some people are not on the same wavelength."
During the Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen lost significant track position to rivals like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc during pit stops, exacerbating his frustrations. He didn't hold back on his feelings, critiquing the strategy over the radio: "No mate, don't give me that s--- now. You guys gave me this s--- strategy, OK? I'm trying to rescue what's left. F---."
Despite the operational challenges and on-track incidents, Verstappen remains focused on diagnosing the issues within the team and performance. He expressed a sense of pushing harder than before, even if it hasn't translated into better lap times: "I feel like I probably push harder than I did last year, but it's just not coming anymore to have these great lap times. So I guess it just means that we are a bit slower. So we have work to do. Simple as that."
Team Principal Christian Horner acknowledges the room for improvement, emphasizing the importance of maximizing the car's performance window. "I think we've got more performance to bring. We need to expand that operating window for the car, so when the car is in the right window it qualifies on pole by four tenths like it did in Austria," Horner explained.
The sentiment at Red Bull extends beyond just the physical components of the car, as Verstappen alluded to a need for better internal communication and synchrony. His comments after the Hungarian Grand Prix signal a deeper concern that some team members might not be aligned with the broader objectives, hinting at potential strategic disarray.
The mounting frustrations were palpable when Verstappen lamented losing his race position: "It's quite impressive how we let ourselves get undercut. It's completely f---ed my race." Yet, amidst these challenges, he remains resolute. He emphasized the importance of speaking up and making necessary corrections: "I don't think we need to apologize; I just think we need to do a better job. I don't know why people think that you cannot be vocal on the radio. I mean, this is a sport." Verstappen's bluntness underscores his commitment to driving performance improvements.
The narrative of Verstappen's season is one of unrelenting determination, as he consistently demands the best from both himself and his team. His ultimate goal remains unchanged: securing victories and maintaining his championship lead. As the team prepares for Spa-Francorchamps, the hope is that the familiar track will turn their fortunes around and align efforts towards achieving the winning formula.