Max Verstappen expressed his frustration after a disappointing sixth-place finish at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix, citing strategic and technical missteps by his team as the main reasons for their poor performance. He criticized the handling of the race by Red Bull Racing, stating that both championships are no longer realistic for them. Verstappen highlighted the need for significant changes to the car to address the issues that have arisen in the past few months. He emphasized the urgency of the situation and the team’s need to turn things around quickly.
Verstappen pointed out that the team’s car had gone from being dominant to virtually undrivable within a short span of time, which he found perplexing. He stressed the importance of making changes to improve the car’s performance and make it more drivable. The Dutch driver acknowledged that the process of implementing these changes would not be easy, but insisted that the team needed to push forward and work tirelessly to address the current issues. Verstappen’s frustration was evident as he called for a collective effort to rectify the situation and improve the team’s performance.
During the race, Verstappen questioned the team’s communication and decision-making, particularly regarding the management of his battery and power settings. He was dissatisfied with the responses he received from the team regarding when he could switch back to a quicker setting, emphasizing the importance of being on top of such details. Verstappen expressed his disappointment with the lack of proactive communication from the team, suggesting that they should have been more attentive and responsive during the race.
Red Bull Racing’s struggles were further compounded by Sergio Perez’s eighth-place finish, contributing to an overall disappointing outing for the team at the Italian Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari claimed the top spot, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris following closely behind. The strong performances of their competitors have also led to McLaren closing the gap in the Constructors’ Championship, putting additional pressure on Red Bull Racing to improve their results in future races.
As the team faces challenges in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, Max Verstappen’s criticisms have highlighted the urgency for Red Bull Racing to address the issues that have plagued their performance. He called for significant changes to be made to the car to make it more competitive and drivable, emphasizing the need for the team to work together to turn the situation around. With the gap in the Constructors’ Championship narrowing, Red Bull Racing will need to make improvements quickly to stay competitive in the remaining races of the season.
