Red Bull’s car lacks balance and, with the rest of the field gaining on points, both world titles are therefore at risk
Max Verstappen’s frustration and anger at the performance of his Red Bull car at the Italian Grand Prix was almost visceral. The world champion is unafraid to speak his mind and he did so to damning effect in Monza, condemning the car as an undriveable monster that might cost him a fourth title. This might be considered hyperbole were it not for the fact that Verstappen has been warning of this for months and Red Bull still have no solution, which suggests the Dutchman may be right and they do have a real problem.
Verstappen qualified seventh in Monza and finished sixth in a race where the winner, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, and the two McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in second and third were in a different league, more than 30 seconds clear of the Red Bull. Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Pérez described their car as handling like a boat, about as damning an indictment as any driver can give to a thoroughbred F1 car.