Former team boss Günther Steiner dismisses the theory that Red Bull designs its cars specifically for driver Max Verstappen. Due to the so-called ‘curse’ that seems to rest on the second Red Bull seat next to the four-time world champion, rumors occasionally circulate in the paddock that the team completely adapts the car to Verstappen’s driving style. According to Steiner, the Dutchman would actually be faster in a different car, such as the McLaren.
Max Verstappen has had several teammates during his time at Red Bull. Among others, Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, Sergio Pérez, Liam Lawson, and current teammate Yuki Tsunoda have had the opportunity to sit next to the Dutchman, but all fell short in comparison to the four-time world champion. The father of Pérez, Antonio Pérez Garibay, previously shared the conspiracy theory that the cars of Verstappen and his teammates are not the same.
However, according to former team boss Günther Steiner, this is not the case. “Many people conclude that Red Bull has specifically developed the car for Max,” the Italian explains in the Business of Sport podcast. “But I don’t think the Red Bull car is specifically designed for Max at all. The Red Bull car is what it is, and the only one who can drive it is Max. I think Max would rather have a McLaren than a Red Bull.”
‘Damn Good’
“Even when people say: oh, the weight distribution (of the car, ed.) and so on, I think that’s all a bit of trying to find almost an excuse for why Max is so successful,” Steiner continues. For the former team boss of Haas, it is more than clear why Verstappen is so good in the Red Bull cars. “Max is so successful because he is so damn good.”
