The Belgian Grand Prix brought more drama than an F1 soap opera, and Max Verstappen didn’t hold back on where the real problem lies.
- Verstappen faced a grid penalty but still managed a respectable finish.
- Perez, despite a strong start, was plagued by technical issues.
- Verstappen believes the main problem isn’t Perez’s performance.
- The RB20 car holds the key concerns for Red Bull’s future.
The 2024 Belgian Grand Prix was anything but smooth for Red Bull. Verstappen started further back due to a grid penalty but still fought his way up the ranks. Meanwhile, Perez started strong on the front row but soon faced battery problems, tyre wear, and strategy mishaps, finishing disappointingly behind his teammate.
Max Verstappen isn’t buying into the gossip that Perez’s future is in jeopardy. According to him, the car is the real culprit. ‘Our main concern is the car,’ Verstappen told the media. ‘That’s what we should focus on mainly because I think if you look at Checo’s weekend, it was very positive.’
Verstappen defended Perez, pointing out that both Red Bull drivers have been let down by the RB20 this season. ‘We were just not faster than the cars around us,’ he admitted after the race. He praised the team’s effort, considering it a ‘damage control’ race.
When asked whether swapping positions with Perez would have helped, Verstappen dismissed the idea. ‘No, I don’t think it’s fair on him because he’s doing his own race as well,’ he said. ‘I think there, we did the right thing. I don’t think that would have mattered a lot in my race.’
Rumors are swirling about Perez’s future with the team as the summer break looms, but Perez remains confident he won’t be axed. Whether this confidence will be enough to keep him in the team, only time will tell.
Red Bull’s true challenge lies not with Perez but with the RB20 car’s performance.
Source: Planetf1
