Max Verstappen’s disastrous performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix has sent shockwaves through Red Bull Racing, raising urgent questions about the team’s future and its struggling RB21 car. In a weekend to forget, Verstappen qualified an unthinkable P8 and limped home in P9, finishing behind Liam Lawson—a driver who was dropped by Red Bull just two races prior. The four-time world champion’s discontent is palpable, as he grapples with a car that appears undrivable and a team seemingly lost in its technical development.
After the race, Verstappen expressed his frustration, stating, “It’s very painful for everyone,” a sentiment echoed by team principal Christian Horner, who publicly apologized to Verstappen for the car’s abysmal performance. The stark reality is that Red Bull, once the dominant force in Formula 1, now finds itself struggling to compete, with only one driver in the points and Verstappen facing a championship battle that feels all but lost.
The underlying issues plaguing the RB21 have been evident for months, but the catastrophic results in Hungary have pushed the narrative to a breaking point. With Verstappen’s future at Red Bull now under scrutiny, questions arise: should he consider leaving for a team that recognizes his talent? As rival teams like McLaren surge ahead, the urgency for Red Bull to rectify its technical leadership and car performance has never been more critical.
As the summer break approaches, Red Bull must confront its mounting challenges head-on. The team has promised minor updates, but with the clock ticking, fans are left wondering if they can salvage their season or if Verstappen will be forced to endure more humiliation. The stakes are high, and the pressure is mounting—will Red Bull rise from the ashes, or are they destined to remain a midfield team as Verstappen’s championship aspirations fade? The answers lie just beyond the horizon, and the countdown to the next race has begun.
