Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 World Champion, has unleashed a scathing critique of his Red Bull team after enduring a six-race winless streak, a stark contrast to his record-breaking dominance last season. The Dutchman, who clinched 19 out of 22 races in 2023 in what was the most one-sided season in F1 history, now finds himself grappling with a car he describes as “undriveable.”
With just eight races left in the 2024 season, Verstappen holds a 62-point lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris, while Red Bull’s once-comfortable position in the Constructors’ Championship has dwindled to a mere eight-point advantage over McLaren.
“Last year, we had a great car, the most dominant car ever. And we basically turned it into a monster,” Verstappen told reporters at Monza, a circuit where he has triumphed in both 2022 and 2023. “We have to turn it around. At the moment, both championships are not realistic.”
Verstappen’s frustrations were palpable as he revealed that engine issues have prevented him from racing at full power, and he didn’t shy away from criticizing the team’s strategy decisions. “We basically went from a very dominant car to an undriveable car in the space of, what, six to eight months. That is very weird for me. We need to really turn the car upside down,” he lamented.
During the Monza race weekend, Verstappen’s frustration boiled over on team radio, where he was heard sharply telling his engineers to “stay awake.” He later explained that the outburst was triggered by the team’s mishandling of battery management instructions, a fundamental aspect of race strategy that he felt should have been managed better.
“These are obvious things that you need to be on top of. I know that I’m not racing anyone, but that shouldn’t matter,” Verstappen said. “It’s still an F1 race where you have to maximize everything.”
As Red Bull faces mounting pressure from McLaren, Verstappen’s candid assessment highlights the urgency for the team to address the dramatic decline in their car’s performance. With the championship still within reach but slipping away, the team will need to rally quickly to restore the car to its former glory—or risk seeing their dominant streak come to an abrupt end.
