Max Verstappen highlights Red Bull change after 'undriveable monster' claim

Max Verstappen has admitted he is more comfortable behind the wheel of this year's Red Bull car compared to the difficulties he faced last season.

Amid a difficult weekend at the Italian Grand Prix 12 months ago, Verstappen described his Red Bull car as an “undrivable monster”.

The Dutchman struggled with the car's balance, a major departure from the 2023 car, which sits as one of the most dominant machines in F1 history.

While the car had enough to deliver Verstappen his fourth F1 title, Red Bull has been unable to carry over its title-contending form this year.

However, Verstappen is content with not having to deal with as significant issues as he did throughout the 2024 campaign.

“It's different,” Verstappen told media including RacingNews365. “This year, I don't have these really big instability problems.

“Of course, we are not as competitive as we would like to be. 

“It's more just that I would like to go faster, but it's not letting me go faster. It's not a disaster to drive.”

McLaren has risen to the head of the F1 pecking order this year and is currently enjoying its own dominant stretch, knocking Red Bull from the perch it occupied for a handful of seasons.

Verstappen asserted there is little Red Bull can do but acknowledge it has been beaten while also working to ensure it recovers to the top spot going forward.

“It's life,” Verstappen said. “Someone has done a better job than us. It's just not that easy, because if it was easy, everyone could do it in F1. 

“It's just a very complicated sport and small details can make a big difference. It's not like we're terrible. We're not driving last.

“I'm still P3 in the championship. I've won races, but the standards of this team are very high, and we want to be here to win and not be second or third. 

“Sometimes it doesn't feel good. Do we want to be better? Everyone wants to be better in this team. 

“No one likes losing, but unfortunately, you cannot force the situation. You need to work together to try and understand the problem. 

“We do that, but we are never satisfied. I mean, even in 2023 when we're winning almost every race, there were still things that we wanted to do better.

“But unfortunately, someone else did an even better job than us now currently. So that's what you need to also accept and acknowledge that they have done a very good job.”