Lando Norris surpassed Verstappen in Miami and almost did the same in Imola, while Charles Leclerc took advantage of Red Bull’s difficulties in Monaco.
The Ferrari team principal, Frederic Vasseur, suggested that the increasing pressure from competitors is causing Max Verstappen to make more frequent mistakes.
Since his controversial championship victory over Lewis Hamilton in 2021, Verstappen has been dominant, securing consecutive championships and starting this season strongly.
However, recent races indicate a shift in momentum.
Norris surpassed Verstappen in Miami and almost did the same in Imola, while Leclerc took advantage of Red Bull’s difficulties in Monaco.
Vasseur suggests that the resurgence of McLaren and Ferrari is putting pressure on Verstappen and Red Bull, resulting in unusual errors from the reigning champion.
“I don’t want to draw conclusions from this weekend, but if you look at the last two weekends, Max made more mistakes in Imola than in the last three seasons,” Vasseur said.
“As soon as you have to push harder, if you have to stay in your comfort zone for strategy, for everything, you don’t need to make mistakes.
“I think they were in that situation – but I’m not drawing conclusions.
“They will come back soon and be strong, and I’m not assuming that all races will be easy until the end.
“As soon as you are in a position where you need to pay more attention to details, you have a kind of snowball effect – and that is part of the improvement of the last six or seven months.”
Vasseur’s observations echo those of Damon Hill, who witnessed Verstappen’s difficulties in Imola. After seeing the Red Bull driver go off track four times during Friday’s practice sessions, the 1996 Formula 1 champion suggested that Verstappen may be feeling the pressure of having genuine competitors again.
Sky Sports analyst Hill commented: “The other teams are closing in.
“That is definitely the case.
“The comfortable advantage Max has enjoyed in the last two seasons… it’s inevitable that people will get closer.
“When you’re uncomfortable with the pace, that’s relative.
“If you have a two or three tenths advantage over everyone, then you don’t need to push the car. Is that what we’re seeing now? Is Max having to extract more from the car than he can, as a result of others getting closer?
“In fact, we are starting to see the maximum performance of Red Bull, and they are scratching their heads to find more.
“The competition is definitely closing in.”
