Max Verstappen became intensely frustrated with Red Bull’s car at times during the 2024 F1 season. After winning four of the first five races and seven of the first 10, Verstappen always had a comfortable lead.
Clearly, he feared that rivals would wipe out that advantage if Red Bull didn’t address their problems. They ultimately slipped to third in the constructors’ standings, though Lando Norris never got closer than 44 in the drivers’.
Beyond 2024, Verstappen might have had concerns over the team’s long-term direction. Adrian Newey’s influence was disappearing after he handed in his resignation in the spring.
Now Newey has started work at Aston Martin, with technical director Pierre Wache taking the reins at Milton Keynes. Visibly, there are a few differences between this year’s car and its predecessor.
Red Bull are trying to refine rather than reinvent the RB20 concept. And there may also be significant changes to the car’s underbody that aren’t visible on the surface.
Even if Verstappen loses faith in the team this year, it would be risky to move. There are very few clues to the 2026 F1 pecking order with seismic regulation changes looming.
Max Verstappen thinks Helmut Marko is underplaying gap between Red Bull and McLaren
Speaking to F1-Insider, motorsport advisor Helmut Marko issued a ‘positive’ verdict on Red Bull’s performance in testing. He was in ‘good spirits’ as he left Bahrain.
While Marko acknowledged that they were behind McLaren, he estimated that the gap was only two-tenths of a second. Verstappen showed last year that he can score at a similar rate to Norris with inferior machinery.
However, the Dutchman reportedly disagrees with Marko’s assessment. ‘He believes the gap’ is larger than the Red Bull executive is making out.
‘Worse’ still, he hasn’t seen any ‘noticeable progress’ from Red Bull’s updated floor and front wing. Verstappen was seen shaking his head on the final day of testing as he encountered familiar car balance problems.
Max Verstappen’s ominous verdict on McLaren after what he saw in F1 testing
Verstappen is ‘hammering’ Red Bull in meetings over their persistent issues with kerbs and bumps. The car much preferred smoother, level surfaces last season.
The data from the wind tunnel may look excellent, but Red Bull haven’t seen the anticipated gains in the real world. Every team faces a developmental balancing act this season ahead of the rule changes, and the dilemma is particularly acute for Christian Horner as the team try to integrate a brand-new, in-house power unit.
On the other hand, they know that Verstappen could become unsettled if they don’t pay adequate attention to the RB21, which is flawed in its current state. The same is perhaps true of the Ferrari and Mercedes challengers.
As it stands, Verstappen thinks McLaren are the only title contenders. He ‘expected more’ from Red Bull in testing and is pessimistic about his chances of fighting for the win at the Australian Grand Prix.
