Red Bull Racing has firmly rejected the notion that Max Verstappen is making the RB20 appear more competitive than it truly is, despite rival teams narrowing the performance gap in the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Initially, the Austrian team seemed poised for another dominant season, securing three 1-2 finishes in the first four races. However, their dominance has recently faced significant challenges as McLaren and a revitalized Mercedes have started securing regular victories, putting pressure on Red Bull’s once-unassailable lead.
While McLaren has closed the gap to just 42 points in the Constructors’ Championship, Verstappen continues to maintain a commanding 78-point lead over Lando Norris in the Drivers’ standings. Despite the intensified competition, the Dutch driver has consistently delivered critical points for Red Bull, while his teammate, Sergio Perez, has struggled, amassing only 28 points across seven rounds.
Perez’s difficulties have sparked discussions about the true competitiveness of the RB20, with some suggesting that Verstappen’s extraordinary driving is masking the car’s limitations. However, Red Bull’s Chief Engineer, Paul Monaghan, has strongly defended the team’s efforts and dismissed the idea that Verstappen is outperforming the car’s potential.
“The work that goes into the car is unwavering,” Monaghan emphasized. “If we reflect on last year, we aimed to establish a modest lap time advantage at every circuit, and although the competition is getting closer, I don’t believe Max is flattering the car. If anything, the closer competition is pushing Max to perform even better, which is simply the nature of racing.”
Regarding Perez’s challenges, Red Bull has shown faith in the Mexican driver, opting to support him rather than make any drastic changes. The team remains optimistic that Perez will regain his early-season form once the season resumes, with plans to adjust development to ensure both drivers can fully exploit the RB20’s capabilities.
Monaghan expressed confidence in Perez’s ability to bounce back, pointing to his strong performance during a recent qualifying session in Belgium. “It was fantastic to see Checo perform so well in qualifying, especially under challenging conditions,” he said. “He demonstrated great courage and skill, and it was a huge boost for both him and the team. There’s no doubt in my mind that he can deliver at the highest level.”
As the season progresses, Red Bull remains committed to refining the RB20 and supporting both drivers in their pursuit of success, confident that their combined efforts will keep them at the forefront of the championship battle.
