Jos Verstappen, father of Max Verstappen, emphasizes the importance of Red Bull’s upgrades at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
- Red Bull is rolling out significant updates to the RB21 car, hoping to boost its performance for the 2025 season.
- Max Verstappen currently trails Oscar Piastri by 32 points after six races, making these upgrades vital.
- The upgrades aim to enhance race pace, a critical area where Red Bull lags behind competitors like McLaren.
- Rumors about Christian Horner’s job security have been dismissed, focusing instead on Red Bull’s improvement.
As the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix approaches, Jos Verstappen, the father of F1 champion Max Verstappen, has expressed the critical need for Red Bull’s planned upgrades to deliver promising results. Considering Max is trailing Oscar Piastri by a significant 32 points after the first six races, these upgrades are seen as pivotal in maintaining hopes for a championship title this year. Jos Verstappen insists that without a breakthrough, a title charge “won’t work at all this year.”
Initially reported by PlanetF1.com, Red Bull’s management has launched a set of substantial upgrades for the RB21 model, debuting at the Imola circuit. This move aims to jumpstart their season by narrowing the points gap, especially after Max’s sole win in Japan and Piastri’s recent streak of victories in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Miami.
Jos Verstappen has highlighted that these updates are not just optional but “absolutely important” for Red Bull to stay competitive. He’s keenly waiting to hear from his son regarding the upgrades’ impact, particularly focusing on the race pace. Red Bull’s current performance lags behind, especially compared to McLaren, and this has been identified as a key area for improvement.
Amidst the technical adjustments, there have been wild speculations regarding Red Bull’s team dynamics, particularly about team principal Christian Horner. Contrary to rumors suggesting Horner could face dismissal if upgrades fail, sources close to Red Bull assure that his position remains secure. Horner’s long-standing service since 2005 and his successful track record support his role as he celebrates his 400th race at Imola.
The anticipation surrounding the upgrades is high, as both Verstappen’s championship prospects and the overall team dynamics hinge on their success. As Jos Verstappen keenly awaits updates from Imola, the coming races will be decisive in shaping the season’s outcome.
The upcoming races will determine whether Red Bull’s upgrades can turn the tide in Verstappen’s favor.