Max Verstappen’s fiery radio exchanges at the Hungarian Grand Prix brought attention to a flawed strategy by Red Bull, which the team has fully acknowledged.
During the intense race at Hungaroring, Max Verstappen found himself at odds with Red Bull’s decisions. Angered by the strategy that led him to be undercut by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Verstappen vocally expressed his frustration, saying, “It’s quite impressive how we let ourselves get undercut and just completely f**ked my race.” His dissatisfaction continued as he struggled to regain his position, ultimately finishing fifth.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s senior advisor, admitted to ORF that the team misjudged their overtaking strategies, allowing their competition to capitalize on Red Bull’s mistakes. “It is clear that this is entirely the fault of the team,” he stated, acknowledging their error in judgment. Marko also expressed regret over the pit stop position that left Verstappen unable to pass Hamilton, labeling it a ‘gross error.’
Despite introducing a significant upgrade to the Red Bull RB20, the changes proved insufficient against the fierce competition from McLaren, who achieved a stunning one-two finish with Oscar Piastri winning his first Grand Prix. Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, managed to recover to P7, yet Red Bull’s lead in the Constructors’ Championship was reduced to 51 points ahead of the summer break.
The tension within the team was palpable, further emphasized by Verstappen’s blunt response to media inquiries about his radio criticism, declaring, “They can all f**k off.” Despite the internal conflict, both the driver and the team remain focused, with Marko emphasizing the need to avoid complacency and improve performance to maintain their championship lead. The upcoming summer break is seen as a crucial period for regrouping and addressing the recent setbacks.
While Verstappen’s lead in the Drivers’ Championship remains, the gap to his closest challenger, Lando Norris, has narrowed to 76 points. The pressure mounts as Red Bull seeks to refine their strategies and reclaim their dominance in the upcoming races.
Red Bull’s admission of their strategic missteps at the Hungarian Grand Prix signals a moment of reflection for the team. The forthcoming races will test their resilience and ability to adapt, as they strive to maintain their position at the pinnacle of the sport.
