Verstappen's Dominance Puzzles Russell; F1 Bosses Challenge Red Bull Amidst 2026 Preparations
Summary
Max Verstappen's F1 dominance puzzles George Russell, while F1 CEO calls on Red Bull to build a better car. Red Bull anticipates a tough road to its 2026 power unit, Audi partners with Adidas, and Liam Lawson backs Isack Hadjar for an F1 seat.
Max Verstappen's commanding victory at Monza has left George Russell perplexed regarding the current Formula 1 pecking order. The Dutchman's 19-second win over Lando Norris underscored Red Bull's continued supremacy, yet the team faces significant challenges as F1 looks to 2026.
Max Verstappen's Unmatched Form and Red Bull's Future
Why it matters: George Russell's struggle to comprehend Verstappen's dominant performance highlights the current competitive gap in F1, while Red Bull faces mounting pressure to maintain its advantage with future regulations.
The details:
- Russell's Bewilderment: Following Verstappen's dominant win at Monza, George Russell admitted to finding F1's current competitive landscape difficult to understand.
- Domenicali's Challenge to Red Bull: F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has urged Red Bull to develop a "better car" for Max Verstappen, expressing confidence in Verstappen's ability to restore the team's former glory.
- Red Bull's 2026 Power Unit Hurdles: Red Bull expects "sleepless nights" as it works to develop a competitive power unit for 2026. Team Principal Laurent Mekies echoed Toto Wolff's sentiment that Red Bull faces a "Mount Everest to climb" when it becomes a full works team.
Team Developments and Driver Prospects
What's next: Other teams are making strategic moves, and young talents are positioning themselves for future F1 opportunities.
- Audi's Partnership: Audi has secured a multi-year deal with adidas as it prepares to enter F1 in 2025 by taking over the Sauber-run Stake squad.
- McLaren's Driver Management: Former F1 driver Perry McCarthy commended McLaren's measured handling of the intense championship battle between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, noting both drivers' "ruthless" nature.
- Lawson Backs Hadjar: Liam Lawson believes Isack Hadjar is "ready" for a promotion to the Red Bull F1 team following a successful rookie campaign that included his first career podium at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Original Article :https://racingnews365.com/max-verstappen-confuses-george-russell-as-f1-boss-make...