Verstappen's Struggles Continue: Hungarian GP Review
Max Verstappen's recent run of form has been less than ideal, with the Dutchman failing to secure a victory in his last three races. His performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix was particularly telling, as he finished in a modest fifth place after grappling with several issues.
The race at Hungaroring proved challenging for Verstappen, who found himself entangled in a collision-induced strategy problem. Despite Red Bull Racing's introduction of new upper bodywork and a revised front wing on his RB20, the upgrades did not translate into an immediate return to form. "We didn't have the pace to fight McLaren today, but then I think we could still have had a P3," Verstappen commented, signaling both his frustration and the untapped potential of his car.
One significant point of contention was the pit strategy. Verstappen experienced a loss in track position to competitors such as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc during pit stops. "It's quite impressive how we let ourselves get undercut. It's completely f---ed my race," Verstappen said bluntly. His radio exchanges during the race were a testament to his frustration, culminating in the pointed rebuttal, "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 setbacks, Verstappen remains at the top of the championship standings with a substantial 76-point lead. However, this lead has not shielded him from the dissatisfaction that comes with underperformance. "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 candidly admitted.
Team principal Christian Horner acknowledged the challenges but maintained a positive outlook. "For sure the upgrades work, but we're still not first, right? So we need more. It's as simple as that," he stated. Horner also emphasized the need to maximize the car's performance window, referencing their pole position in Austria as an example of their potential. "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," he explained.
Verstappen’s frustrations were not solely car-related. He expressed concerns about team dynamics as well, suggesting that not everyone was on the same page. "I already said yesterday maybe some people are not on the same wavelength," he remarked. This statement points to internal issues within the team that could be impacting their performance on the track.
Verstappen's critiques extended to his view on driver penalties and race regulations, a topic that often stirs debate. "He moved under braking," he noted during the race, highlighting his dissatisfaction with the rules enforcement. Horner clarified that comments made by Gianpiero Lambiase, Verstappen's race engineer, were not directed at the Dutch driver but at other drivers' complaints about penalties. "GP at that point wasn't referring to Max; he was referring to others on the radio complaining about penalties," Horner specified.
In the high-pressure world of Formula 1, open lines of communication are crucial, and Verstappen made it clear he appreciates directness. "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," he stated, defending his candid radio exchanges. "If some people don't like that, then they can stay home," he added, reinforcing his stance.
Looking Forward to Spa-Francorchamps
As the team prepares for the next race at Spa-Francorchamps, there's cautious optimism within Red Bull. The iconic Belgian track is expected to suit their car better, providing an opportunity to bounce back from recent setbacks. For Verstappen and Red Bull Racing, the focus will be on harmonizing their approach and extracting maximum performance from their upgraded package to reestablish their dominance in the championship.