Verstappen angry: 'At Red Bull not everyone realises how serious it is'
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- Nicole Mulder
Max Verstappen is not happy. Red Bull Racing brought the biggest update package of the current Formula 1 season, but it is still not good enough, according to the Dutchman. This is reflected in his third starting position on the grid in Hungary, behind the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen frustrated by Red Bull updates
Prior to the Grand Prix weekend at the Hungaroring, Verstappen was still expressing hope over Red Bull's updates, but the Dutchman is now less positive. This is because, despite all the updates, the RB20 is still not performing well enough according to Verstappen. Asked why that frustrates him extra this time, he replied, "Because I did hope it would have delivered a bit more."
Asked by GPblog how it was that things looked better on Friday, Verstappen responded that he was actually not at all happy with the performance in free practice. "I said yesterday that it was not optimal. Maybe we have slightly different opinions on that then," the Red Bull driver observes.
Can it still be rectified by Red Bull this weekend? "I think they [McLaren] also looked very strong at the longrun. Of course they have been for the last few races. I don't suddenly see us being stronger there either," continued Verstappen, noting that his team is now beaten on all types of circuits and in all conditions. "On pure speed," he adds.
Verstappen: 'At Red Bull not all on the same wavelength'
Verstappen is clearly frustrated and the fact that not everyone in the team is on the same page does not help. The Dutchman says there is no point in looking for excuses for the RB20's disappointing performance. "At least with me they know I don't make excuses. I am always realistic in that. Maybe not everyone is on the same wavelength," he says.
The fact that not everyone at Red Bull seems to see the seriousness of the situation does not irritate Verstappen, he says. "But I think some people do need to wake up a bit," he adds. Asked who are the ones who need to wake up, he says: "I don't need to go into details who that is."
Verstappen is therefore worried, not just about the constructors' championship. "In the beginning they were always second or third, but is it that they are going to win, maybe be first and second or first and third. At some point, that's just not sustainable, but yes, we are doing our best." Asked if he is also worried about his own position in the drivers' championship, the Dutchman replied, "I am working on that, yes."