Max Verstappen still has a comfortable 62-point lead over Lando Norris in the Formula 1 World Championship. But the trend is not in the world champion’s favor – which is why the Dutchman is sounding the alarm.
Max Verstappen is more used to winning than almost any other driver in Formula 1 history. This makes it all the more annoying for him when he doesn’t have a car under his butt that is worthy of being called a winner.
This is currently the case in Formula 1. The dominant Red Bull car from the start of the season is history – instead, Verstappen in the RB20 is fighting with Ferrari and Mercedes, at best, for the role of second force behind McLaren, which has been setting the pace for several races.
At the Italian GP in Monza, Verstappen also chugged along behind without a chance. Sixth place in qualifying, sixth place in the race – the three-time world champion never had anything to do with victory. OK, perhaps one or two positions would have been possible without a totally botched pit stop. But it was telling that the Bull crew also messed up in what was once their flagship discipline.
Verstappen had clear words after another disappointing Grand Prix, calling for a red alert. “Last year we had a great car, the most dominant car of all time, and we basically turned it into a monster,” the 26-year-old raged, criticizing his own team.
Given the situation in Monza, the Dutchman continued, “both world championships are not realistic.” In the manufacturers’ world championship, a change of power is imminent. Only eight points separate Red Bull and its pursuer McLaren before the next race in Baku.
Formula 1: Verstappen has to really fight again
It seems inevitable that the traditional British racing team will soon overtake the defending champions – especially since McLaren has two irons in the fire with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, while Red Bull is too dependent on Verstappen’s skills and can only count on Sergio Perez as a points supplier to a limited extent.
And in the drivers’ championship? King Max is still at the top, but the cushion is getting smaller from GP to GP. Title number four does not yet seem to be in acute danger, the 62-point lead can be managed too well by an exceptional driver like Verstappen.
But Red Bull needs to get on track as quickly as possible to avoid any major accidents as early as possible. The team has reverse engineered the car, and new parts and concepts have proven to be a downgrade rather than an upgrade. The bull that galloped like it was on rails has become the stubborn, rumbling monster that the champion speaks of.
Verstappen is putting pressure on them accordingly, demanding a quick turnaround. “Unfortunately, I don’t have a degree in engineering or aerodynamics. But I think I’ve told them everything I could,” he said, referring to his engineers: “I’ve already said a lot, now it’s time for the team to come up with a lot of changes to the car.”
One thing is clear: Verstappen will have to really fight again for the first time since the legendary World Championship battle with Lewis Hamilton in 2021.
Source: www.sport.de
