BIG BLOW: Red Bull took a “psychological blow” in Baku that will affect the team’s spirits.
Following their dominance in the 2022 and 2023 Formula 1 seasons, Red Bull Racing is experiencing their first significant setback in years.
Max Verstappen amassed an astounding record of victories as a result of becoming accustomed to things going his way.
Verstappen gained more than enough points last year to win the Constructors’ Championship by himself, even in the midst of teammate Sergio Perez’s struggles.
Red Bull has lost control of the lead in the standings for the first time in a long time as McLaren has taken a 20-point advantage after Oscar Piastri’s victory in Baku.
Red Bull knew that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix would be tough, but there were positives and negatives to be taken away from the competition.
Investigative writer Chris Medland was discussing the atmosphere in the Red Bull camp following the race on the F1 Strategy Report Podcast.
Perez looked to be in a decent spot with the vehicle after more than a year of ups and downs, and he spent the majority of the race chasing Piastri and Charles Leclerc.
But it’s a cruel blow to lose out on crucial points—and maybe his first podium since China—following a collision with Carlos Sainz.
Furthermore, according to Helmut Marko, Perez’s accident gives Red Bull a significant disadvantage going into the upcoming race in Singapore.
Over the weekend, Verstappen appeared far below his typical high standards, which will also worry the club moving forward.
A “psychological blow” was dealt to Red Bull during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“I just think that McLaren executed the perfect race for both drivers and got the maximum points that they could get, but also still the maximum that Lando was going to get,” Medland said in his analysis of Sunday’s race.
It was sort of a declaration to Max that, despite a Saturday upset, they would still return on a Sunday and win significant points.
“On the other hand, it also means that McLaren won the Constructors’ Championship and earned all the points possible from the race, which will harm Red Bull and have an effect on the team’s culture.
“Everyone who works on making that car gets bonuses at the end of the year, and those bonuses are dependent on the Constructors’ Championship standings.”
“They will experience that. Therefore, even though Max has a significant title advantage, I believe that Red Bull suffered a significant psychological damage as a result, rather than just a few points that Lando gained.
Before the season ends, Damon Hill offers a prediction about Red Bull.
Red Bull is aware that they have a significant challenge in trying to hold onto the Constructors’ Championship.
They may need every point they can get from Perez rather than letting the Mexican defend his teammate, so they can’t afford to concentrate only on maintaining Verstappen’s lead in the driver’s standings.
Although Damon Hill has expressed his opinion that Red Bull can still win the championship, the odds don’t seem favorable at this time.
Marko doesn’t think Red Bull will be able to compete in Singapore, and it’s understandable given their results from the previous year.
The automobile has a lot of trouble riding curbs, and this problem is exacerbated on street circuits.