Helmut Marko Delivers Crushing Red Bull Verdict After Verstappen's Q1 Exit

Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has delivered a stark assessment, stating the team "got slower everywhere," a significant blow to Max Verstappen's championship aspirations. This follows a disastrous São Paulo Grand Prix qualifying where both Red Bull cars exited in Q1, a first for the team since 2006.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's unexpected performance slump, particularly after a strong season, raises serious questions about their car development and championship strategy. With Verstappen now significantly behind Lando Norris in the standings and starting from the back of the grid, their title defense is in jeopardy, marking a critical juncture for the team.

The Details:

• Historic Low: For the first time since 2006, both Red Bull cars failed to make it past Q1 in qualifying at the São Paulo Grand Prix. This is an unprecedented recent setback for the dominant team.
• Verstappen's Struggle: Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, could only manage 16th on the grid. His teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, fared even worse, qualifying 19th.
• Post-Sprint Changes Backfired: After Verstappen finished fourth in the Sprint race, Red Bull implemented several changes to his RB21, which Marko confirmed made the car even slower.
  • Marko stated, "It went badly wrong. We got slower everywhere. The track got faster and we lost time in all sectors."
  • He added, "There was actually even less grip. Why? That's what we have to find out now. But the harm has been done."
• Persistent Issues: Red Bull has been grappling with car performance issues not only in Brazil but also at the Mexico City GP, where Verstappen managed a podium finish despite difficulties.
• Failed Upgrades: Marko attributes some of the recent struggles to new or partially new parts introduced in Mexico that "did not bring the hoped-for success." The team believed these would guide them in the right direction, but that has not been the case.

Between the lines:

Red Bull's technical team seems to be at a crossroads. Their attempts to optimize the car, particularly after the Sprint race, have backfired, indicating a potential misdiagnosis of the car's underlying issues or a failure in development. The fact that they lost time across all sectors and gained nothing in Sector 2 suggests a fundamental problem with the car's balance or aerodynamic efficiency, rather than isolated issues. This could point to a more systemic problem that the team needs to urgently address.

What's next:

With Verstappen now 39 points behind Lando Norris in the standings and facing a challenging race from the back, Red Bull's immediate priority will be to understand and rectify the root causes of their performance dip. Their title chances hinge on a swift turnaround and a reliable solution to their car's current struggles. The upcoming races will be crucial in determining whether this is a temporary blip or a more serious downturn for the team.