Rosberg analyses Red Bull's 'big problem': 'It would be different'
- Corwin Kunst
Red Bull Racing started 2024 on the same footing as last season, but in a short time, they have been caught up and overtaken by McLaren and (to a lesser extent) Mercedes. The RB20 is nowhere near as competitive as before, and no one within the Austrian racing stable knows the cause. Nico Rosberg and Ralf Schumacher think it will be very difficult - if not impossible - to keep McLaren behind them in the world championship standings.
Red Bull at a loss for words
"The situation is difficult, especially also because they don't understand it," Rosberg observed on camera for the German branch of Sky. Red Bull does not know where to start, and that, according to the 2016 world champion, is "the big problem". "At least if you understood it, it would be different again. However, they are losing more and more ground, and other teams like McLaren are doing phenomenally."
Max Verstappen is defending a 62-point lead over Norris in the last eight GPs (with three sprint races remaining). In the constructors' championship, the difference between Red Bull and McLaren is just eight points. Things can change. "You would never have thought it after the first races, but Red Bull could just lose both world championships. That is frightening internally for them," Rosberg said.
Ralf Schumacher complements his compatriot by saying that he suspects the Milton Keynes-based team will not just turn it around. Indeed, the analyst thinks it is too late and that McLaren will run away with the world titles."For me, the discussion is over for now. There is a lot of uncertainty and because of that, heads will roll. Many will [also] be dissatisfied. Now you have to rebuild with the new group of people who are there," the German is referring to the fact that several valued forces have left the ship.
Next weekend, the Formula One circus gets a weekend's rest. In a week and a half, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will start in Baku.
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!