Is Max Verstappen Crumbling Under Pressure? Ferrari's Frederic Vasseur Thinks So
Formula 1 has always been a theater of high drama, intricate strategies, and relentless pressure. And this season is no exception. Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur recently stirred the pot by suggesting that Red Bull's star driver, Max Verstappen, has been making more mistakes this season than he has in the last three combined. According to Vasseur, this slip in performance highlights Red Bull’s vulnerabilities amidst growing competition.
Red Bull’s Dominance Under Threat
Red Bull has been the undisputed king of the grid since the new ground effect cars were introduced in 2022. They snatched almost every victory last season, cementing their championship titles. However, the tide seems to be turning. Strong performances from Ferrari and McLaren have introduced new variables into the race equation. These challengers have brought upgrades that disrupted Red Bull's domination, giving them a taste of their own medicine.
This shift was glaringly evident during the recent Monaco Grand Prix. Red Bull wasn't even a contender as Ferrari took the victory. Vasseur had a vindicated smile, having previously voiced that rivals could capitalize on Red Bull's moments of weakness. Verstappen, visibly unsettled with the RB20 in recent rounds, found himself under immense pressure at Imola and cracked during his last Q3 run in Monaco by brushing the barrier.
Verstappen’s Forced Errors
Discussing this turn of events, Vasseur noted, “I don’t want to draw any conclusions off this weekend alone, but if we analyze the last few races, Max has made more mistakes now compared to the past three seasons combined.” According to him, Red Bull’s impeccable strategy had kept them in a comfort zone where mistakes were nearly non-existent. However, the mounting pressure from fierce competitors has forced Verstappen and his team to push beyond their limits, leading to errors.
Monaco’s Revealing Struggles
Red Bull's woes in Monaco were symptomatic of deeper issues. Verstappen revealed that the team’s struggle with riding the kerbs had been a long-standing problem, only masked by their overall dominance. When asked if he was surprised by Red Bull’s show of weaknesses, Vasseur pointed out, “We just hadn’t seen them until they were pushed to their limit.” The apparent gap last year – sometimes giving them a buffer of four or five tenths – meant they were rarely at risk. However, now, even the strategy has come under scrutiny.
Vasseur brought up instances where Red Bull's strategic advantages allowed them to make mistaken transparency. For example, when Max started P9 in Jeddah last year and, in just a few laps, took the lead. “They had a comfort buffer even on strategy, with conditions where mistakes were invisible. But this season, that luxury is gone,” he added.
Can Red Bull Bounce Back?
Despite these setbacks, Vasseur believes that Red Bull won’t be down for long. The Monaco outing saw Verstappen finishing sixth and teammate Sergio Perez retiring on the first lap – a rare poor performance for the team. “We should not draw any long-term conclusions,” Vasseur cautioned. “They will be back, strong as ever.” He emphasized that upcoming tracks, like Canada, present different challenges that could favor Red Bull.
He further noted how various races this season had unfolded differently. “We performed well in Melbourne, Imola, and Miami, each with different compound types, tarmacs, and layouts. It will be tight until the end, and some cars will inevitably fit better with certain tracks.” The battle lines are clearly drawn, promising a thrilling season ahead filled with unexpected twists and tight races.
In summary, Ferrari’s head honcho believes that while Red Bull is facing a challenging phase, they are likely to regain their footing soon. As the season progresses, the true test will be how Verstappen and his team manage these pressures and whether the challengers can maintain their momentum. One thing's for sure: the race is far from over.