Max Verstappen, despite dominating the Formula 1 championship standings with a robust 76-point lead, hasn't been able to clinch a victory in his last three outings. In the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, the Dutchman finished a distant fifth, grappling with several issues that derailed his race strategy.
During the Hungarian GP, Verstappen encountered a collision-induced strategy issue, which significantly impacted his performance. Post-race, he didn't mince words about the situation. "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---," he said over team radio, reflecting his frustration during the heat of the moment.
The race saw Verstappen losing track position frequently, notably to rivals like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc during critical pit stops. These challenges highlight underlying issues that Red Bull Racing must address, despite recent upgrades to Verstappen's RB20, which included new upper bodywork and a revised front wing.
While these enhancements were expected to provide a competitive edge, Verstappen candidly noted, "For sure the upgrades work, but we're still not first, right? So we need more. It's as simple as that." This sentiment was echoed by Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, who mentioned, "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."
Spa-Francorchamps might offer a more favorable battlefield for Red Bull, but Verstappen isn't waiting for favorable venues to turn his season around. He's aware that improvements must be immediate. "I already said yesterday maybe some people are not on the same wavelength," Verstappen remarked, hinting at potential internal misalignments within the team.
In Hungary, Verstappen pointed out specific incidents that exacerbated his frustrations. One such instance was a move by a fellow competitor that he felt was dangerous. "He moved under braking," Verstappen said, referencing a key moment that hindered his progress.
Verstappen's in-race comments didn't go unnoticed, as Gianpiero Lambiase, Red Bull’s race engineer, responded, "Well, that's some gentle introduction,” possibly attempting to lighten the tense atmosphere. However, Verstappen remained focused on what he perceived as tactical errors, stating, "It's quite impressive how we let ourselves get undercut. It's completely f---ed my race."
The persistent difficulties haven't dampened Verstappen's resolve. "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," he openly assessed his performance and the car's current state.
Despite the setbacks, Verstappen remains undeterred and unapologetic about his candidness over the radio. "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 declared. His approach to feedback is straightforward: "If some people don't like that, then they can stay home."
The forthcoming races are crucial for Verstappen and Red Bull. With key insights from Hungary and a focus on harmonizing their strategy, both driver and team are poised to tackle the challenges ahead, ensuring that their pursuit of excellence remains undeterred.