Max Verstappen's recent comments, suggesting he might not win another Grand Prix this F1 season, could be highly demotivating for his Red Bull team, according to strategist Bernie Collins.
Why it matters
Verstappen's strong criticism of the RB21 car, especially after its struggles at the Hungarian Grand Prix, highlights significant underlying issues within the team. Such public statements from a four-time world champion carry considerable weight and can affect team morale and future development.
The details
- Verstappen's Frustration: After a difficult Hungarian GP, Verstappen effectively conceded the championship to McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris, stating he doesn't believe he can beat them in any of the remaining 10 races.
- Demotivating Effect: Collins, a Sky Sports F1 pundit, emphasized that a driver saying "we're not going to win anything this year" is profoundly demotivating for engineers and the entire team.
- Car Issues: Despite two wins this season (Suzuka and Imola), the RB21 has fundamental problems that have persisted for several seasons, hindering the team's performance.
- Communicating Discontent: Collins interprets Verstappen's remarks as a "powerful way of communicating" his deep dissatisfaction, pushing the engineering team to find solutions for next season's new regulations.
What's next
Red Bull, with technical figures like Laurent Mekies, is expected to intensify efforts to address these long-standing car issues, especially as they look towards the significant regulation changes in 2025. Verstappen's contract runs until the end of 2028, and while he's committed for next year, the underlying threat of his departure remains a powerful leverage point for him to demand improvements.