Despite Monza dominance, Jos Verstappen critiques Red Bull’s ongoing development strategies.
An enhanced Red Bull will quell rumours about Max Verstappen’s future.
This assertion was made by Dr. Helmut Marko, an F1 team consultant, who breathed a sigh of relief on Friday when the RB20 appeared more competitive at Monza than at Zandvoort a week earlier.
Max Verstappen, who finished 22 seconds behind Lando Norris’s McLaren—a title contender increasingly in the spotlight—at the Dutch GP, led the pack in the first practice session on Friday, though he dropped to 14th in the second session.
“We are better than we appear,” Marko stated. “Max made a mistake in the Parabolica, but up to that point, he was only two-tenths behind Norris. And unlike the others, Max’s engine wasn’t set to full power.”
The Dutchman’s longer stint also looked competitive, Marko noted, “until graining started. Then the lap times quickly increase, and the car shifts from understeering to oversteering.”
“But we are in much better shape than at Zandvoort. Yes, much better.”
However, Marko had to concede that the new smoother kerbs are much better for Red Bull.
“Last year, they were a handicap for us, even though we won everything. The higher temperatures are also good for us, even though I think that during the weekend, the grip will improve and we will lose some advantage because of this.”
“But the balance was much better from the start, and we could consistently work on the settings. That’s what we were aiming for. I think we have improved and the car is more predictable.”
“If we continue to make good progress in Free Practice 3, then I’ll be positive.”
Given Verstappen’s total dominance last year, which extended into early 2024, the past few months have been a shock for the triple world champion—with Red Bull also grappling with internal turmoil.
But Max denied that Adrian Newey’s departure explains the fall from grace. He acknowledges that Norris’s task of bridging a vast 70-point gap by Abu Dhabi is daunting, but insisted that “always finishing second is not a solution.”
Clearly, there’s pressure on Red Bull from Verstappen. But Marko believes an improved Red Bull will calm the nerves for both Verstappen and the team.
“At the moment, Max is focused on clinching the championship. But we must also look to the future.”
“We need to provide him with a Formula 1 car that can win again, and then all these rumours about his departure will cease.”
Jos Verstappen remains unconvinced
While he noted an improvement during yesterday’s practice, Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, still harbours doubts about the trajectory the Austrian team is taking.
“Firstly, I think that all the updates that have been brought in this year haven’t delivered what they were expected to. And because of this, we remain somewhat stationary – and the others are making significant strides anyway. And in Formula 1, to stand still is to fall behind.”
“At the start of the season, when you are winning races, everything seems to be going well, but Max had already mentioned that the balance wasn’t right. Of course, that wasn’t talked about at the time. They then try to keep it to themselves. He has been complaining about the balance constantly internally. And actually, Max voiced his complaints publicly about three months ago.”
“Only, they didn’t really believe it, or they didn’t really see it. Now, it’s actually a bit too late. The upcoming period does not look positive either. The races are coming thick and fast and I don’t think they have really found a solution at the moment. Red Bull has stood still while others have become stronger.”
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Jos Verstappen Critical Despite Monza Success Jos Verstappen Critical Despite Monza Success
