“The car sucks, the strategy sucks, the Power Unit sucks. Nothing is right,” says a furious Max Verstappen at the end of the Monza GP. How can we blame him, a sixth position is definitely not the position that suits a multiple world champion. But what are the reasons behind the decline of Max Verstappen and Red Bull? And what will happen to the Dutchman at Fanta F1, considering that at the moment no one wants to field him anymore due to his poor performance?
Verstappen's criticisms have highlighted the main problems the team is facing: a problematic car balance and a Power Unit that does not guarantee the necessary reliability.
These issues didn’t just emerge in a single race, but have accumulated over the course of the season. Red Bull has seen a dramatic change in its performance, with the car seemingly unable to maintain the consistency needed to compete at the highest level. Balance issues have led to a loss of control in the race, while reliability issues have caused a lacklustre performance. This combination has contributed to a series of disappointing results and a general decline in the team's performance. Problems that even development cannot limit.
Verstappen's performance decline at Fanta F1
Verstappen's performance in the last six races at Fanta F1 clearly reflects the decline in Red Bull's performance and the negative impact on the grid. Here is a quick summary of the scores obtained:
- Austrian GP: 18 points
- British GP: 25 points
- Hungarian GP: 14 points
- Belgian GP: 24 points
- Dutch GP: 23 points
- Monza GP: 14 points
Accustomed to 32-36 points per weekend, these numbers show a significant decline compared to previous results of the season. Verstappen, who was once considered an almost obligatory choice for F1 fans, has seen his appeal diminish. His inconsistent performances have led Fantasy managers to consider other options, negatively impacting his value at Fantasy F1.
Conspiracy theory and reality
Among the speculations circulating, one of the most discussed is the alleged manipulation by the FIA to limit the dominance of Red Bull. There are rumors that the FIA could have intervened to prevent the team from returning to supremacy as in 2023. However, there is no concrete evidence to support these conspiracy theories.
Red Bull's crisis seems to have deeper, internal roots. A turning point was the departure of Adrian Newey, the aerodynamic genius who had played a crucial role in designing the team's successful cars. Without Newey, Red Bull struggled to adapt and improve the RB20 car, which showed significant shortcomings in its design and performance. This change affected the team's competitiveness, compounding existing problems and contributing to the current crisis.
Chance of Rebirth: The Future of Red Bull and Verstappen
For Red Bull, the revival comes through a resolution of technical issues and a strategic review. The team must address balance issues and improve the reliability of the Power Unit if it wants to return to the top of Formula 1. In addition, It is crucial that the team finds a way to optimize the car so that it can compete effectively in the upcoming races.
For Verstappen, his chances of recovery in Fantasy F1 depend on the team's ability to solve these problems. If Red Bull can improve its performance, Verstappen could become a valuable choice for Fantasy F1 fans again. However, until there are tangible improvements, his value will remain low and his choice in Fantasy F1 will be negatively affected by the current crisis.
