Red Bull Technical Director Pierre Wache has opened up on the criticism that the team received amid the sudden struggles it encountered in the 2024 Formula 1 season.
The Austrian outfit started the previous campaign appearing poised to dominate in a similar ilk to 2023 as Max Verstappen led three 1-2 finishes in the opening four races.
But while Verstappen proceeded to make it seven victories in 10 rounds, Sergio Perez’s drastic downturn provided warning signs as Red Bull’s rivals began to close in at the top.
Verstappen’s worst fears were realised when Red Bull’s development accentuated the RB20’s balance issues, culminating in him experiencing a 10-race winless streak.
Red Bull at least overcame the worst as upgrades in Austin, combined with Verstappen’s brilliance, sealed the Drivers’ title with two rounds to spare in Las Vegas.
However, the improvement came too late to save Red Bull’s Constructors’ Championship hopes as it relinquished the crown to McLaren, which pipped Ferrari to the title.
Asked how he handled the criticism that was targeted at him and Red Bull last season, Wache told RacingNews365: “I don’t follow it. It affects me enough when we don’t have a good performance.
“I don’t have to rely on other people to tell me I’m doing a bad job,” Wahce added.
“I criticise myself enough. My family and myself criticise me. That is fine.
“But it’s hard for the team because the people worked hard, in the same way as the year before – I will say even harder.”
How Red Bull channelled criticism
Wache has explained how he saw it as imperative that the external noise didn’t have a detrimental impact, instead inspiring the team to view the setbacks as a chance.
He highlighted the Italian Grand Prix – where Verstappen labelled the RB20 a “monster” as he came sixth – which prompted Red Bull to abandon the updates that it had planned.
“In my position, you have to motivate the people and make sure the criticism is taken positively,” he said. “A loss, a bad result is positive every time if you understand it.
“Take Monza, it was a chance to develop for the future. Like on a Friday, it’s a chance to change the setup and say, ‘Oh, we have something big, bigger than we expected. How do we understand that?’We have to realise what it is. It’s a massive chance. That is how I see it.”
Red Bull faces ‘massive challenge’ in 2025
Wache has admitted that Red Bull has a “massive challenge” to contend with as the team dovetails development on the RB21 with crucial work on the impending regulation overhaul arriving next season.
But the Frenchman has asserted that the mental resilience required in his role has made him immune to succumbing to the pressure when lobbied with such scenarios.
“Depending on your character, you’d don’t survive long in this business,” he concluded.
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