The progress of Red Bull seems to have hit a roadblock as they face fierce competition from Ferrari and McLaren. The team, which was initially considered a favorite to win the championship, has only managed to win one Grand Prix in their last three races. This drop in performance has raised concerns within the team regarding their current position in the standings.
During the early stages of the season, Red Bull and their driver dominated the races, with the Dutchman winning more than half of the events held in 2024 so far. However, their rivals, Ferrari and McLaren, have shown significant improvement and have managed to challenge the reigning champions. This was evident in the Monaco GP, where Ferrari and McLaren secured the top four positions, while the Dutchman finished in sixth place.
In light of these recent trends, the team’s consultant, Helmut Marko, urged the team to address the issues with their RB20 car as soon as possible. Marko believes that Red Bull still has an advantage on traditional tracks and expects them to perform well at the Catalunya circuit. However, if they encounter difficulties on the 4.65-kilometer track, this could indicate a larger issue that will affect their performance in future races.
Marko’s concerns extend beyond the race in Barcelona. When asked about his expectations for the upcoming race in Canada, he expressed doubts about Red Bull’s chances. Despite positive signs from simulator work, Marko believes the team is far behind their rivals. Additionally, as the next race will be on a street circuit, similar challenges may arise.
Despite these concerns, Red Bull’s driver, Verstappen, currently leads the championship with a significant advantage in the standings. Rivals will need to step up their preparations for the upcoming races in Canada and Spain if they want to challenge the Dutchman. With all these factors in mind, the next races promise to be an exciting spectacle for several reasons.