Jos Verstappen issues warning to Red Bull
Jos Verstappen issues stern warning to Red Bull after Dutch GP defeat, urging the team to "take a good look in the mirror" as Max Verstappen's dominance wanes amid growing competition from McLaren and Mercedes.
As Max Verstappen's dominance wanes, his father urges the team to "take a good look in the mirror" amid growing competition
Red Bull Racing's unexpected defeat at the Dutch Grand Prix has prompted a strong reaction from Jos Verstappen, father of reigning champion Max Verstappen.
The former F1 driver's comments come as the team faces increasing pressure from resurgent competitors, particularly McLaren and Mercedes.
Hometown disappointment
Despite securing an early lead at Zandvoort, Max Verstappen found himself unable to maintain his advantage against a charging Lando Norris.
The McLaren driver's superior pace allowed him to overtake the championship leader within the first 20 laps, signaling a significant shift in the competitive landscape of the 2024 season.
Jos Verstappen, clearly frustrated by the turn of events, didn't mince words when speaking to De Telegraaf after the race.
"Maybe I shouldn't say it, but I'm doing it anyway,"
he stated.
"The fact that you have to go back to the car from the beginning of this year says enough."
A season of change
The 2024 season began with familiar expectations of Verstappen's continued dominance.
However, as the year progressed, it became evident that Red Bull was struggling to match the development pace of its rivals.
McLaren and Mercedes, in particular, have made significant strides with their upgrades, resulting in a more competitive field.
This shift in performance has led to an unusual scenario, with Oscar Piastri,
George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris all claiming victories in recent races.
Consequently, both Verstappen's lead in the drivers' championship and Red Bull's advantage in the constructors' standings have diminished considerably.
Technical challenges
Max Verstappen's post-race comments shed light on the technical issues plaguing the team.
The Dutch driver cited problems with front-to-rear car balance and tyre degradation, factors that significantly impacted his race performance.
Jos Verstappen's critique extended beyond the immediate race results, suggesting a deeper concern with the team's current direction.
"They just don't have it right here at the moment,"
he remarked.
"I think they should take a good look in the mirror."
Despite the setback, it's worth noting that Red Bull's performance - with Verstappen finishing second and his teammate sixth - would be considered a strong result for most teams.
However, given Red Bull's recent dominance, these results represent a significant deviation from expectations.
Jos Verstappen's comments also hint at a level of foresight from his son regarding the team's challenges.
"Max knew this was coming,"
he revealed.
"He just didn't have a chance. This way it's going to be really tough the rest of the year."
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