Max Verstappen has delivered a sobering assessment of Red Bull Racing’s prospects for the remainder of the 2024 Formula 1 season, candidly admitting he does not foresee any further race victories. This stark prediction comes amidst a challenging period for the dominant team, grappling with unexpected performance deficits.
The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend proved particularly arduous for the Milton Keynes-based outfit, with Verstappen qualifying a disappointing eighth and Yuki Tsunoda relegated to a pitlane start. This weekend’s performance underscored a troubling regression, leaving the team searching for answers to their newfound struggles on the challenging Hungaroring circuit.
Technical director Pierre Wache concisely summarized the team’s predicament, stating that “nothing is working,” a sentiment echoed by advisor Helmut Marko, who confessed the team currently lacks understanding as to why the RB21 chassis is proving so uncompetitive. The unexpected lack of grip throughout qualifying deeply puzzled the Red Bull strategists and engineers.
Verstappen himself revealed extensive efforts to rectify the car’s setup issues, experimenting with numerous configurations to no avail. Despite his persistent attempts, the reigning world champion expressed profound frustration, hinting at a “fundamental issue” plaguing the RB21 in Hungary, a problem he believes extends beyond mere track characteristics.
Dismissing the Hungaroring’s high-downforce demands as an excuse, Verstappen recalled Red Bull’s strong performance last year, where they qualified a mere four thousandths off pole position. This direct comparison highlights the depth of their current struggles, emphasizing that the problem lies intrinsically with the car’s performance this season, not the circuit itself.
Despite earlier optimism from figures like team boss Andrea Stella who refused to rule Verstappen out of the championship fight, the Dutch driver’s recent comments paint a different picture. He firmly stated that, “No, not the way things are going right now. That’s just the way it is. It’s clear,” when asked if he could still secure a win under normal conditions before the season concludes.
This candid admission, delivered before the summer break, represents a painful but seemingly unavoidable conclusion for Red Bull. Verstappen’s pragmatism is evident in his acceptance of this new reality, acknowledging that anger will not magically improve the car’s pace. The current benchmark in Formula 1, he implied, now resides with McLaren, whose car appears to have a significant advantage.
Verstappen’s elusive response regarding McLaren’s comparative dominance further illustrates the precarious position Red Bull finds itself in. While he avoided direct comparison, his reluctance to elaborate suggests an awareness of McLaren’s formidable pace. The reigning champion’s resigned outlook on the season’s prospects marks a significant shift, prompting questions about the team’s ability to rebound and rediscover their championship-winning form.
