Max Verstappen has faced a challenging stretch, failing to secure a victory in his last three races. The recent Hungarian Grand Prix saw the Dutch driver finish in fifth place, primarily due to a collision-induced strategy issue and a lack of substantial pace.
Despite the setbacks, Verstappen continues to hold a commanding 76-point lead in the championship standings. Red Bull's efforts to enhance the performance of Verstappen's RB20 included the introduction of new upper bodywork and a revised front wing in Hungary, though these upgrades have yet to yield the top spot.
Strategic and Performance Challenges
During the Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen's struggles became evident as he lost crucial track position to rivals like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc during pit stops. Verstappen himself has openly acknowledged the team's need for a more cohesive and improved approach. "We didn't have the pace to fight McLaren today but then I think we could still have had a P3," Verstappen remarked, highlighting his frustrations with the current strategy and vehicle performance.
As Verstappen attempts to push harder than he did last year, his efforts have not translated into the same great lap times. "I feel like I probably push harder than I did last year, but it's just not coming anymore to have these great lap times. So, I guess it just means that we are a bit slower. So, we have work to do. Simple as that."
Critical Communication
Frustration was palpable over the team radio during the race, with Verstappen delivering a blunt assessment of the race strategy. "No mate, don't give me that s--- now. You guys gave me this s--- strategy, OK? I'm trying to rescue what's left. F---."
The tension extended to comments about the broader team dynamics. Verstappen shared his view on the need for greater synchronization within the team, saying, "I already said yesterday maybe some people are not on the same wavelength."
Despite acknowledging the recent upgrades, Verstappen remains vocal about the need for continuous improvement. "For sure the upgrades work, but we're still not first, right? So we need more. It's as simple as that," he stated.
Expanding the Operating Window
Team Principal Christian Horner echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the potential for further performance enhancements. "I think we've got more performance to bring. We need to expand that operating window for the car, so when the car is in the right window it qualifies on pole by four tenths like it did in Austria," Horner said.
Horner also clarified a specific incident on the radio where some controversy had arisen, explaining that Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase (GP), was referring to other drivers complaining about penalties, not to Verstappen himself. "GP at that point wasn't referring to Max; he was referring to others on the radio complaining about penalties," Horner explained.
Conclusion
Verstappen’s candid nature has led him to defend his vocal approach on the radio, stating, "I don't think we need to apologize; I just think we need to do a better job. I don't know why people think that you cannot be vocal on the radio. I mean, this is a sport." He further asserted, "If some people don't like that, then they can stay home."
As Spa-Francorchamps looms on the horizon, Red Bull and Verstappen will need to harmonize their strategies and fully leverage their upgrades to return to their winning form. For now, the driver and his team continue to push the boundaries in this fiercely competitive season.