BREAKING NEWS: Max Verstappen threatens to ‘stay at home’ after…….outburst………Read more
Max Verstappen Issues Stern Warning to Red Bull After Italian Grand Prix Frustration
Max Verstappen delivered a sharp rebuke to his Red Bull team following a disappointing performance at the Italian Grand Prix. The Dutchman, who is the reigning three-time world champion, was visibly frustrated after finishing sixth at Monza, falling further behind Lando Norris in the Drivers’ Championship standings. His frustrations boiled over during the race, resulting in a heated radio outburst directed at his team.
Verstappen’s weekend began on a sour note as he qualified in a lackluster seventh place on the grid. Although he managed to improve by one position during the race, finishing sixth was far below the standards he has set in recent seasons. The RB20, which has been dominant at various points throughout the season, seemed to lack the pace needed to compete at Ferrari’s home circuit.
As the race progressed, Verstappen’s dissatisfaction with his team’s performance became evident. He was forced to remind his engineers of their responsibilities over the team radio, expressing his frustration with their lack of attentiveness. “Can the people in the background please be awake?” he snapped. “I know this is a s*** position, but it’s important.”
After the race, Verstappen elaborated on his frustrations during an interview with Viaplay. He explained that his annoyance stemmed from a specific moment during the race when his battery levels were running low as he battled with Norris. According to Verstappen, the team failed to notify him when he could switch to a more aggressive power setting, a critical decision that could have impacted his performance. “In the race, my battery was relatively empty while fighting Lando of course,” Verstappen explained. “Then I had to go to a certain setting [and] at some point they have to tell me when I can go back to the quicker setting. I ask: ‘Can I go back?’ [and they reply] ‘Oh yeah, yeah, you can.'”
Verstappen’s frustration was clear as he continued, “Then I thought, ‘What is this? You guys have all the data the entire time, you guys can exactly see when I can make those steps.’ I shouldn’t have to ask when I can go back.” His exasperation with the team’s performance led him to issue a stern warning: “We might be in no man’s land, but you still have to be on top of things. Otherwise, I can just stay home.”
Verstappen’s comments serve as a wake-up call for Red Bull, a team that has been the benchmark for success in recent years but now finds itself in a precarious position. With eight races remaining in the 2024 season, Red Bull’s lead in the Constructors’ Championship has been significantly reduced. McLaren, in particular, has closed the gap to just eight points after Sunday’s race, with Ferrari also joining the fray as a serious contender.
Verstappen’s own title defense is now under threat as well. The Dutchman has gone winless in the last six races, allowing Norris to cut into his lead. The margin between the two drivers now stands at 62 points, and with McLaren’s recent surge in form, that gap could have been even smaller had Norris secured a stronger finish at Monza.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is now under significant pressure to address the issues within the team and restore Verstappen’s confidence. The stakes are particularly high, as both Mercedes and Aston Martin are rumored to be eyeing Verstappen for a potential switch in 2026 and beyond.
Verstappen’s outburst is a clear indication that Red Bull cannot afford to rest on their laurels. With the competition closing in, both in the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, the team must urgently regroup and respond to their star driver’s concerns. The remaining races in 2024 will be crucial not only for securing titles but also for maintaining Verstappen’s long-term commitment to the team.
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