Verstappen: RB21 no longer a 'monster' but still lacks speed

Max Verstappen has struggled with car balance since 2024, famously calling the RB20 an 'undrivable monster'. While more positive about the RB21 this season, he admitted the car is still not perfect.

Why it matters

Red Bull, a dominant force in recent F1 seasons, is currently far behind McLaren in 2025. McLaren leads the constructors' standings with 584 points, nearly three times Red Bull's tally. Verstappen also trails Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the championship fight, highlighting a significant performance gap.

Verstappen's perspective

When asked in Italy if he would still label the RB21 as a monster, Verstappen told GPblog: "It's different. This year I don't have these really big instability problems or whatever."

The details

Despite resolving major drivability issues compared to 2024, the RB21's performance is not where the four-time world champion would like it to be. The car simply lacks outright speed, a fact made clear by his ninth-place finish in Hungary.

• Car Stability: Improved compared to the RB20.
• Overall Speed: Still a significant deficit.
• Verstappen's comment: "I would like to go faster, but it's not letting me go faster. It's not a disaster to drive."

What's next

After a podium finish in Zandvoort, Verstappen now shifts his focus to the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Unlike most F1 teams, Red Bull will not equip his car with an extra small rear wing for this high-speed circuit, indicating a different setup philosophy.