Max Verstappen issued a stark warning about Red Bull’s upcoming upgrades, admitting they are unlikely to close the gap to a dominant McLaren team.
The four-time world champion’s comments came after a calamitous Austrian Grand Prix, where Red Bull’s struggles were laid bare.
The Dutchman qualified a lowly seventh in Austria after a spin by Pierre Gasly disrupted his final lap. His race ended abruptly on the opening lap at Turn 3, taken out in a collision with Kimi Antonelli.
The retirement marked a grim home outing for Red Bull, who now languish fourth in the constructors’ standings, 61 points behind McLaren.
The Woking-based team’s pace advantage was undeniable at the Red Bull Ring, where they extended their lead.
Red Bull are set to introduce an upgrade package soon, but Verstappen tempered expectations.
Speaking to select media, he said, “They’re coming, but are they enough to challenge McLaren? I’m not sure. Probably not.”
He remained resolute, however, adding, “Everyone in the team gives 100%. We keep pushing, keep learning, and keep trying to bring more performance to the car. That’s all we can do.”
The Austrian Grand Prix was a bitter pill for Red Bull, who have celebrated immense success at their home circuit in recent years.
Reflecting on the disappointment, Verstappen said, “It’s painful because of the fans, but every year is different. Cars change, tyres change. You can’t assume that because we were strong here before, it’ll be easy. So many factors need to align to be competitive, and we didn’t manage that.”
Verstappen’s comments echo sentiments found in recent X posts, where fans and analysts noted McLaren’s superior pace and Red Bull’s struggle to keep up. One user remarked, “McLaren are untouchable right now. Red Bull need a miracle upgrade to catch them.”
The F1 circus now heads to the British Grand Prix, set for 52 laps around the 5.891-kilometer Silverstone Circuit on Sunday, 6 July. Red Bull will be desperate to rebound, but with McLaren’s momentum growing, Verstappen and his team face a steep challenge to regain their winning form.
