F1 News
Ex-driver fears for Red Bull: 'Then you have a problem'
- Ludo van Denderen
Even after a lacklustre Monaco Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing lead the world championship among constructors. However, the margins are small. Fourteen points currently separate Max Verstappen's team with Ferrari. Christijan Albers believes it is certainly not a foregone conclusion that the Austrians will run away with the world title in 2024. The big problem? Sergio Perez.
Two races in a row, Red Bull struggled. In Imola, the team still managed to win the Grand Prix thanks to Verstappen's drive; in Monaco, even the reigning world champion among drivers could not hide the fact that the RB20 was not made for the bumpy street circuit. Verstappen finished 'only' sixth, while teammate Perez crashed out. Getting points was going to be difficult for the Mexican anyway from his 16th starting spot, as he also had an off-day in Imola.
"Perez wasn't there at all," Albers also observed. Speaking on De Telegraaf's F1 podcast, he said, "I see that becoming a big problem. If you get another season like '21 or '20, that you have to fight to be on the first two starting rows, then with Perez you are not going to win the constructors' title."
Canada tough story for Red Bull
For the short term, former F1 driver Albers also fears for Red Bull in the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix. "I don't believe the Ferrari are so strong now that they will win in Canada. In Canada it's about top speed. In Miami they missed that, they are going to miss it in Canada too. Then you get another battle between the Red Bulls and the McLarens anyway. Those McLarens go well over the kerbstones. And in Canada you do have four serious chicanes, which are high. Then you really have a problem [as Red Bull]."