Max Verstappen has informed Red Bull of what it needs to do to in order to improve on its indifferent first half of the Formula 1 season, one he described as “very tough.”
The Dutchman heads into the summer break without a win so far this season, with the Milton Keynes-based squad suffering from inconsistency.
Its RB22 challenger’s sensitivity to certain circuits under the new regulations has been exposed, leaving Verstappen and new teammate Isack Hadjar vulnerable to their rivals.
Red Bull’s comparatively disappointing season so far has been exacerbated by the prospect of Verstappen exiting the team, with longstanding rumours linking him with a move to McLaren, or into a sabbatical or even retirement.
Verstappen’s largely difficult opening half of the season did end on a bright note however, with a typically combative performance in the Hungarian Grand Prix, finishing second and managing to leapfrog both Ferraris, via a daring divebomb move on old rival Lewis Hamilton.
Asked to reflect on the season so far, Verstappen conceded it has not been his, or the team’s, easiest.
“Tough – in general, it’s been very tough,” he said. “Some good moments, some bright, shining moments, I guess. But overall, tough.
“So, we need to try and be more solid, a bit more all-round, to have more straightforward weekends.”
Despite Red Bull failing to qualify for ADUO assistance due to its high combustion power, the overall quality of its debut power unit with Ford has rendered Verstappen mostly unable to race Ferrari nor Mercedes on a regular basis this season.
And the four-time World Champion is actuely aware of this, issuing the team the instruction of sorting that, as well as the RB22’s additional anomalies.
“Plus, we need to find more performance. I mean, it’s as simple as that, at the end of the day,” he continued.
“Then, besides finding more performance, just not having the issues as well with the current package that we have.”
Verstappen will be itching for a competitive car when F1 returns next month, with a final chance to put on a show for his home fans at Zandvoort at the Dutch Grand Prix, before the race is taken off the calendar.
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