The balance of power in the Formula 1 season has undergone a dramatic reversal. Red Bull, which had seemed unstoppable at the start of the year as a dominant team, now appears to have completely lost the thread. Monza Grand Prix marked another dark chapter for the Austrian team: Max Verstappen, after a frustrating weekend in Monza, made strongly critical statements towards his team, highlighting a deep crisis that becomes more and more evident with every Grand Prix.
With McLaren having regained momentum and consistency of results, the Red Bull team cannot afford any more mistakes. The margin reduced to just 8 points in the constructors' standings is a real threat to a team that until a few months ago seemed unbeatable. The next appointment in Baku will be crucial: the risk of losing the leadership could mark a definitive turning point in a season that seemed destined for triumph and that now risks turning into a nightmare.
Verstappen shocked by Red Bull's radical change: "We had a dominant car, now it's a monster"
After yet another winless weekend, culminating in a lackluster performance at Monza, Max Verstappen couldn't hold back his frustration. In a particularly heated team radio, the Dutch driver lashed out at Red Bull: “We have transformed a dominant car into a monster!” he said in a sharp tone, visibly exasperated. And he didn't stop there.
Verstappen continued to harshly criticize the team's choices: “I don’t understand what we’re doing. It’s the same story every time: we keep making mistakes, making bad decisions. The machine is too slow, and if we don’t fix these problems, it will only get worse.” Harsh words, reflecting a growing discontent not only with the performances on the track, but also with the overall strategic management of the team.
A Red Bull in an identity crisis: the mistakes, the frustrations and the collapse of confidence
During the Monza GP, Verstappen was seen banging his fist on the steering wheel after a problematic pit stop, and shortly after he attacked again on the radio: “The car is undriveable, we are too slow! How can we compete like this?” This type of reaction shows a driver more frustrated than ever, unable to understand how a car that seemed perfect at the beginning of the season could have deteriorated so quickly.
Verstappen's analysis spares nothing and no one. His accusation is clear: there has been a series of development and strategic errors that have compromised the effectiveness of the RB20. The Dutch driver complained about the constant changes in set-up and technical choices that have robbed the car of its initial competitiveness. “Every weekend is a puzzle to solve. We no longer know what to expect from the car,” added Verstappen.
The crisis that Red Bull is going through does not only concern the track, but seems to be a deeper issue that involves the whole team and which perhaps finds its origin in the fracture created after the Horner scandal broke out. We will see what will happen in Baku, a decisive test for Red Bull called to an immediate response.
Source statements: FormulaPassion
