Verstappen verdict delivered compared to Red Bull flattery

Red Bull does not think that Max Verstappen has "flattered" its RB20 F1 car despite renewed threats from rival teams in 2024.

Verstappen started off his title defence strongly, winning seven of the first 10 races, but did not pick up a win in the final four races before the summer break, taking only one podium across the Austria-Britain-Hungary-Belgium rounds - second at Silverstone.

The triple world champion has been critical of Red Bull's problems with the RB20, which has not proved as dominant as the RB19, with RacingNews365's technical analyst Paolo Filisetti believing an FIA rules tweak could have had a major impact on the handling of the machine. 

Verstappen leads the drivers' by 78 points from Lando Norris - three grands prix worth with the fastest lap - with 10 rounds remaining, meaning he is guaranteed to be leading the championship until the United States GP in Austin. 

Reflecting on the situation, chief engineer Paul Monaghan does not believe that the Dutchman is flattering the car, but that the pressure is simply because rival squads, such as McLaren and Mercedes have improved their form.

"The work that goes into the car is unwavering," Monaghan told select media including RacingNews365. 

"If we look back at last year, then that is the bar that we have set ourselves to have a modest lap-time advantage everywhere and carry that through, then it is getting a little bit tighter. 

"Max might well reflect on that, but I don't think that Max is flattering it, if he is pushing harder to get a race result because others are closer, then that is the nature of competition isn't it?"

Positive Perez

Monaghan also touched on Sergio Perez, who has been struggling since the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in May. 

His form and lack of points - just 24 in the eight races plus one sprint since - put enormous pressure on the Mexican, although Red Bull has opted to keep him for the rest of the season alongside Verstappen. 

In Belgium, Perez qualified third-fastest in a wet qualifying session, his best result since the Chinese GP in April, but ultimately fell away to seventh with fastest lap in the race once George Russell was disqualified.

Given the struggles, Monaghan expressed delight at Perez's qualifying result, hoping it could be a springboard.

"With Checo, it was lovely to see him do so well [in Belgium qualifying to be second on the grid], and it was wonderful for him and wonderful for the team," he said.

"I saw in that debrief a driver who was settled in himself and you think: 'good for you mate, well done.'

"There are many detractors and the only one who could arrest it was him, and he did good on that.

"I thought it took a great deal of courage to go out in a wet qualifying and do that, so hopefully he takes great solace from that and maintains it. 

"He can drive it to, none of them are a slouch when they reach this level."