Red Bull boss Christian Horner has commended the “mature” manner in which Max Verstappen has reacted to the team’s dip in competitiveness in Formula 1 in 2024.
Verstappen, who won 18 races last season, started the campaign seeming unstoppable once again as he headed three Red Bull 1-2 results in the opening four events.
However, Red Bull’s competitive advantage over the rest has dissipated as time has progressed to the point where the reigning champions have not won in six rounds.
Unlike earlier this season, Verstappen’s brilliance is no longer enough to disguise Red Bull’s issues as an inherent balance problem has started to hinder his advances.
Verstappen was outlandish in his post-race comments at Monza as he lamented Red Bull having turned the most dominant car that F1 has ever seen into a “monster”.
But Horner has revealed that the Dutchman, who finished sixth at the previous race, has been working hands-on in his aim to help Red Bull reverse its flailing fortunes.
“What’s impressed me with Max is how he’s really engaged in this process, he’s not panicking, he’s working with the engineers,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“He’s explaining very clearly where the issues are, he’s putting the time and effort in.
“He was in early this morning, he was on zoom calls last week, he’ll be in the simulator next week, he’s working hard at this.
“I think he’s shown great maturity as a World Champion the way he’s working with the engineering group.
“Nobody likes the situation we’re in at the moment, nobody’s happy with it, but we have to turn this around, but the one thing we have is strength in depth in talent, we’ll come back.”
Horner has concurred with Verstappen’s assessment that his 62-point lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris could still be overhauled unless Red Bull addresses the issue.
“Based on today’s performance you’d say both are under absolute pressure, we were the fourth-fastest car today, that’s the reality,” he accepted.
“We’ve got to turn it around if we want to make sure we win both titles.”
Meanwhile, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko divulged that Verstappen is the individual who has identified the intrinsic problem with Red Bull’s RB20 car in recent races.
“Max recognised on Saturday where the weakness of the car is,” Marko told De Telegraaf.
“Together with the engineers, a decision was made on how to improve the car and make it competitive again.
“We just need to find out which part made the car worse. If we knew that, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
