Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 World Champion, has recently broken his silence on what many fans and pundits have noticed—Red Bull Racing’s sharp decline in performance. In a candid interview following the Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen revealed a series of internal issues that could jeopardize the team’s dominance and potentially cost them the 2024 F1 title.
Verstappen’s revelations came after a frustrating race weekend at the Hungaroring, where Red Bull’s usually flawless execution was marred by strategic errors, poor tire management, and what seemed like a loss of focus. The Dutchman admitted that the team has been struggling with behind-the-scenes problems for several months, which have only now become apparent on track.
“The truth is, we’re not functioning as one unit right now,” Verstappen said. “There’s been a lot of tension and disagreements within the team, especially regarding the car’s development. We’ve been pushing hard all season, but certain changes made to the car recently have thrown us off balance. Everyone is working overtime, but it’s starting to affect performance.”
Red Bull’s dominance in the first half of the 2024 season, with Verstappen leading the drivers’ championship comfortably, made their sudden drop-off in pace shocking. Verstappen cited technical developments, particularly around the RB20’s aerodynamics and engine reliability, as the core issues behind their decline. Red Bull had introduced new components aimed at increasing their straight-line speed, but instead, it seems to have disrupted the car’s overall balance.
“We’re chasing solutions right now,” Verstappen explained. “We made changes to improve one area of the car, but it has affected our cornering stability and tire degradation. It’s not easy to go back to the old setup, and we’re running out of time.” These technical setbacks are now raising alarms within the Red Bull camp, especially as rivals like Mercedes and Ferrari have been steadily gaining ground.
Verstappen also expressed concerns over Mercedes’ resurgence, particularly Lewis Hamilton’s improved performance. “Mercedes has been working quietly, but they’ve made big strides,” Verstappen said. “We can’t afford to drop the ball now, but if we don’t find a fix soon, the title is at risk.”
Hamilton’s recent performances, combined with the strong pace of George Russell, have put Red Bull on notice. Ferrari, too, has shown signs of recovery with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz fighting for podiums. The once comfortable lead Red Bull held in both championships is now shrinking.
Verstappen hinted that the pressure is beginning to take a toll on the team’s morale. “The atmosphere has changed. Everyone is feeling the heat, and it’s showing in the small mistakes we’re making,” he shared. “We need to come together and regroup, or this season could slip away from us.”
For Verstappen, the possibility of losing the 2024 title after such a dominant start is a bitter pill to swallow. He admitted that the coming races will be crucial in determining whether Red Bull can regain control of the championship or whether their early-season momentum was just a false dawn.
“The fear of losing the title is real,” Verstappen concluded. “We’re still in the fight, but we have to address these problems fast. If we don’t, Mercedes and Ferrari will be right there to capitalize.” With tensions high and the competition fierce, all eyes are now on Red Bull and Verstappen to see if they can turn things around in time to defend their crown. The next few races could define the 2024 season—and possibly Max Verstappen’s legacy.
