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Max Verstappen reflects on Red Bull’s struggles despite 2024 title triumph

Harry Stone by Harry Stone
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Max Verstappen Reflects on Frustration-Filled 2024: Hungary GP the Breaking Point

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 7, 2024 Red Bull's Max Verstappen REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

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Despite clinching his fourth Drivers’ Championship, Max Verstappen didn’t shy away from criticizing Red Bull’s lackluster 2024 performance, highlighting fundamental issues that led to the team’s struggles.

Max Verstappen may have claimed his fourth Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship in 2024, but the Dutchman didn’t sugarcoat the challenges Red Bull faced throughout the season. With McLaren and Ferrari outperforming the Milton Keynes squad in pace and consistency, Red Bull’s deficiencies cost them the Constructors’ Championship and put Verstappen in a season-long fight for his title.

A promising start turned sour

Verstappen began the season with three dominant wins, giving the impression that Red Bull was set for another year of dominance. However, cracks soon appeared as McLaren’s MCL38 emerged as the fastest car on the grid, while Ferrari mounted a competitive challenge.

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“I knew it would be a complicated World Championship. Even after that good start, not everything was as easy as it seemed,” Verstappen admitted.

Red Bull introduced numerous upgrades to their RB20 chassis throughout the season, but none delivered the desired performance gains. This inability to address underlying issues left the team trailing its rivals for much of the campaign.

“After three victories, we knew we had a bigger problem. The bad thing was that we didn’t understand what was going on,” Verstappen said.

Missed opportunities and a stronger McLaren

While Ferrari showed significant improvement, with five race wins and a late-season Constructors’ Championship push, it was McLaren that dominated the narrative. Armed with the superior MCL38 chassis, the Woking-based team’s performance often left Red Bull playing catch-up.

Reflecting on the season, Verstappen remarked that he could have wrapped up the championship much earlier had he been driving a McLaren.

“Yes, I would have definitely won before with an MCL38. On a Ferrari, however, I wouldn’t be so sure,” Verstappen said, acknowledging the MCL38’s unmatched pace but expressing doubts about Ferrari’s overall package.

Red Bull’s uphill battle for 2025

The 2025 season presents a critical challenge for Red Bull. With personnel changes underway and lingering performance issues from the RB20 still unresolved, the team faces a “mountainous task” to reclaim their dominance before the sweeping regulation changes of 2026.

Verstappen’s remarks underscore the urgency for Red Bull to not only improve their pace but also enhance their understanding of the car’s dynamics. The upcoming season will be pivotal for the team as it seeks to avoid another year of being outclassed by McLaren and Ferrari.

A season of redemption or rebuilding?

As Red Bull gears up for 2025, the pressure is on to deliver a competitive car capable of challenging McLaren’s and Ferrari’s advancements. With Verstappen leading the charge, the team’s resilience and adaptability will be tested as it seeks to regain its position as Formula 1’s benchmark.

For Verstappen, the focus remains on channeling the lessons of 2024 into a stronger campaign, but he made it clear: Red Bull cannot afford another year of unanswered questions.

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