Max Verstappen has voiced concern ahead of the Australian GP, admitting Red Bull is behind McLaren and faces a challenging title defence.
Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen has delivered a sober assessment of Red Bull’s prospects for victory at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, indicating that significant improvements remain necessary after an underwhelming pre-season test in Bahrain.
Despite clinching pole position at the previous Melbourne event, Verstappen made clear during a recent interview with Dutch broadcaster Viaplay that Red Bull’s RB21 car might not be ready to contend for wins immediately. The reigning champion pointed directly to McLaren as the team clearly ahead at this stage, emphasizing, “At the moment, only one team is ready to fight for the title, and it’s the one dressed in orange.”
The concerns stem from a challenging three-day testing session in Bahrain, marred by reliability issues and persistent balance difficulties. Verstappen’s teammate, Liam Lawson, faced setbacks due to a water pressure issue, while Verstappen himself did not complete a full race simulation. Technical Director Pierre Wache candidly admitted after testing that the RB21 did not respond entirely as anticipated, describing the experience as “not as smooth as we expected.”
Central to Red Bull’s challenges are handling characteristics inherited from the problematic RB20. Although Verstappen acknowledged slight improvements in corner entry and mid-corner stability, fundamental issues persist. The RB21 reportedly struggles with excessive understeer in slower sections and unpredictable oversteer at higher speeds, particularly evident over bumps and kerbs. Verstappen elaborated, “It’s better connected, but we still have big issues with handling uneven surfaces, and that’s something we’re continuously discussing internally.”
Interestingly, Verstappen’s tone contrasts sharply with earlier optimism from initial test days, when he reported positive sensations from the car. However, by the end of testing, frustrations were evident, and the reality of Red Bull’s competitive position set in.
Red Bull’s off-season development aimed explicitly at expanding the RB21’s operating window, addressing criticisms Verstappen vocalized repeatedly throughout the troubled 2024 season. Despite securing his fourth consecutive driver’s title, Red Bull faltered dramatically in the Constructors’ Championship, trailing behind a resurgent McLaren and strong performances from Ferrari and Mercedes.
Now, Verstappen hints at incremental progress rather than immediate solutions, stating optimistically, “We have already identified areas to improve, so Melbourne might be slightly better than Bahrain, but realistically we won’t be immediately fighting at the front.” Technical director Wache echoed these sentiments, suggesting the team might face early races focused on damage limitation until significant upgrades take effect.
As Formula 1 prepares for Melbourne, Verstappen’s tempered expectations set the stage for an intriguing opening round. While Red Bull faces clear hurdles, Verstappen remains cautiously hopeful that targeted adjustments and ongoing development can soon reposition the team among the title contenders.
Finally, Jos Verstappen, the driver’s father and advisor, sent a clear message to the Austrian team: “Max chose to remain at Red Bull until 2025 despite other opportunities. If results don’t come, it won’t be because of him. The ball is now in the team’s court—they must provide him with a competitive car to retain his confidence.”
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Verstappen sounds alarm as Red Bull trails rival McLaren Verstappen sounds alarm as Red Bull trails rival McLaren