In the aftermath of every Grand Prix, racer Jeroen Bleekemolen shares his exclusive insights about the past race weekend. Who or what caught his attention, what went well, and what needs to change? This time, he expresses his growing concerns about Red Bull, particularly after the weekend in Baku, with Max Verstappen in the spotlight.
Knowing Max Verstappen, he remains calm and doesn’t panic after the disappointing weekend in Baku. However, I personally found it alarming. Sixth in the qualification, fifth in the race, okay. Not ideal. But what’s more telling is that the car still has issues, and it seems to be getting worse on Verstappen’s side of the Red Bull pit box.
The strange thing about this weekend is that things went better for Sergio Pérez. You’d expect it to be the other way around: this is not a critique of Max, it’s not his fault. And the team isn’t doing it on purpose, I know that. But as long as Red Bull fails to find a solution for the problems Verstappen is pointing out, I’m seriously worried.
Concerns for the Upcoming Singapore Race
For instance, I’m worried about Max’s chances in Singapore next weekend; like Baku, it’s a street circuit, and again bumpy. I hope it goes well.
And the same goes for the rest of the year.
Can Pérez’s Good Weekend Inspire Confidence?
Should we draw confidence from the fact that Pérez had a good weekend? It’s positive in itself. Perhaps Verstappen’s side can use Pérez’s data. Max describes the problems clearly, lucidly, and honestly. I find that good to see. And good to hear.
Reflections on the Qualification Changes and the Way Forward
The changes to the qualification process didn’t work out well, which is understandable. It’s not surprising that these changes also affected the race. But what’s the next step? Sometimes, in the quest for a solution, it’s important to keep things simple. This approach didn’t work, so should we just do the opposite in Singapore? I understand this line of thinking and I don’t rule out its potential effectiveness. However, every week is different, as is every circuit and the conditions.
Concerns for Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s Performance
Perhaps the solution for the next race, again on a bumpy circuit, is indeed that simple. Let’s hope so, as I’m worried about Max. It seems that Red Bull can identify the problem, but they can’t figure out how to solve or prevent it. Pérez’s good performance in Baku – until the crash – is a positive for him. But to say that Red Bull has found its way back to the top is an overstatement. I’m still too worried about Max for that.
McLaren Surpasses Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship
After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, McLaren has overtaken Red Bull in the constructors’ championship standings. This is already a lost cause for Red Bull. The drivers’ title is still up for grabs, with Max leading by a comfortable 59 points. However, the weekend in Baku once again highlights the increasing pressure on Red Bull to find a solution.
Addressing Concerns
Only by finding a solution can these worries be alleviated. My concerns, but more importantly, those of Max Verstappen, if he shares them.
