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Max Verstappen Helps Red Bull Identify Key Problem with RB20: Team Takes Steps to Fix Issues
In the aftermath of a challenging weekend at the Italian Grand Prix, where Red Bull endured their lowest points haul of the season, the team has identified the root of the problem with their RB20 car. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, has confirmed that a critical moment with Max Verstappen during the weekend was instrumental in diagnosing the car’s issues.
The Italian Grand Prix was a tough outing for Red Bull, who lost ground to McLaren in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. Verstappen, who has been dominant throughout the season, struggled to find the balance with the RB20, qualifying only in seventh place, 0.7 seconds behind pole-sitter Lando Norris. While he managed to gain one position during the race, the weekend was far from what the team expected.
Helmut Marko pointed out that there were “many factors” that contributed to the team’s struggles at Monza. Chief among these was the loss of balance in the RB20, which left Verstappen unable to push the car to its limits. “Max cannot use his ability to push to the limit because the car does not allow it, as it reacts too unpredictably,” Marko explained to Sky Deutschland. He noted that the balance issues seemed to have surfaced after a series of upgrades, which ultimately compromised the car’s performance.
Marko further elaborated that the team would need to backtrack on their development path to identify the exact point where they “took a wrong turn.” The process would involve revisiting the car’s setup from previous races, starting with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, to determine where the balance was lost. While the team remains confident that they can resolve the issue, Marko acknowledged that finding the exact cause of the problem could take time.
One of the few bright spots for Red Bull was that McLaren’s decision not to swap Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris during the race helped minimize the damage to their championship hopes. Despite their struggles, Verstappen still holds a 62-point lead in the Drivers’ standings. However, the situation in the Constructors’ standings is more precarious, with McLaren now just eight points behind Red Bull after outscoring them by 22 points in Monza.
In a separate interview with De Telegraaf, Marko revealed that it was Verstappen’s keen insight during Saturday’s sessions that allowed the team to pinpoint the car’s “weakness.” Verstappen’s input was crucial in helping the engineers understand where the issues lay, leading to a decision on the path forward to rectify the situation. “Max recognised on Saturday where the weakness of the car is,” Marko said. “Together with the engineers, a decision was made on how to improve the car and make it competitive again.”
Verstappen, speaking to the media, including PlanetF1.com, acknowledged the challenges ahead, emphasizing the need for Red Bull to “turn it around.” He admitted that the process would not be easy or quick, but expressed hope that once the necessary changes are made, the RB20 would become more “driveable.”
As Red Bull returns to the drawing board, the pressure is on to restore the balance of the RB20 and regain their competitive edge. The next few races will be critical in determining whether the team can reclaim their dominant form and maintain their lead in both championships.
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