Formula 1 News: Verstappen Refuses to Accept Red Bull’s Current Form as “Normal”
As the Austrian Grand Prix approaches, Max Verstappen has made it clear that he doesn’t want his Red Bull Formula 1 team to settle for their current standing in the Formula 1 standings. Despite having three wins in the last five races, Verstappen believes that the team should strive for more, rather than accepting their current position as the new normal.
In the current Formula 1 regulations cycle, Red Bull had enjoyed two dominant seasons, but with McLaren closing the gap and Mercedes and Ferrari being competitive on circuits that suit their cars, the team’s chief engineer Paul Monaghan expressed that the gains they’ve been finding in the development of their RB20 have been getting smaller. Team boss Christian Horner also felt that it’s normal for other teams to claw back their deficit over time, citing the stable regulations as the reason for the convergence.
“In general, everybody has come closer… We had a hugely dominant year last year, even until the last race. And yes, at the moment it’s all just a bit more difficult, and I think we just have to be honest about that,” he said.
Verstappen believes that the team needs to work harder to stay ahead of the competition, particularly on street circuits where they struggle. “McLaren, I feel, just has a better balance, a strong front end, they can attack the corners well without the tyres overheating… And they are actually good everywhere. Street circuits, the faster tracks. And of course, we are a bit less [competitive] on those street circuits,” he explained.
The world champion is pushing the Red Bull factory staff to deliver upgrades as soon as possible, knowing that improvements can’t be made overnight. “Yes, absolutely. And I’m very busy with it… Every day I’m working with the engineers, and I also try to push that updates come earlier, that’s normal,” he said.
With the Formula 1 calendar heating up, Verstappen’s words serve as a rallying cry for his team to refocus their efforts and strive for excellence. Will Red Bull be able to regain their dominance, or will McLaren and other rival teams continue to close the gap? Only time will tell in the world of Formula 1 news.
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