Max Verstappen found himself defending his teammate Sergio Perez in the midst of Red Bull Racing’s challenges this season. After a dominant start, things are getting tricky for Red Bull as Mercedes clinched the last two races. The once untouchable RB20 stumbled in Monaco due to a suspension issue, costing the drivers valuable lap time.
Red Bull’s troubles didn’t end in Monaco. In Austria, a skirmish between Verstappen and Norris saw Max penalized, and a retired McLaren, with Verstappen managing only a P5 finish.
To regain their edge, Red Bull is bringing their biggest upgrade yet to the RB20, according to Dr. Marko. The goal? To see tangible improvements on the track, not just theoretical gains in the wind tunnel. Verstappen has high hopes but remains cautious, knowing other teams are also on the move.
Max admits Red Bull hasn’t had the fastest car recently. He emphasizes that the team has been innovative but is limited by handicap restrictions on wind tunnel time, which hampers development. “Other teams have made bigger steps,” he concedes. While the world champion remains confident in his team’s efforts, he acknowledges that the road ahead is tough.
This week’s Hungarian Grand Prix is critical, especially for Perez, whose performance in Hungary and Belgium will impact his contract review. Verstappen defended Perez, stating that it’s unfair to blame him entirely for recent struggles. He believes the RB20’s working window needs improvement, and both drivers have faced challenges.
Speculation is rife about Red Bull’s driver lineup after the summer break, with Liam Lawson possibly getting a full-time drive. This adds another layer of intrigue as other drivers like Yuki Tsunoda weigh in on Lawson’s potential promotion.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s history of power unit woes continues to haunt them. After a fallout with Renault and nearly losing Honda’s support, the team decided to build its own power units. Although Honda later chose to stay, Red Bull Powertrains was already in motion. The ongoing search for new manufacturers and the push by Porsche and Mercedes for new regulations reflect the constant state of flux in F1.
The upcoming races will be pivotal for Red Bull Racing. With significant upgrades and driver contracts on the line, the team is under immense pressure to perform. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely as Red Bull navigates these challenges.
