Verstappen in crisis - and in Belgium, a punishment is waiting
Max Verstappen has dominated Formula 1 for two years, but faces challenges before the Belgian Grand Prix
Max Verstappen has ruled Formula 1 for the past two years, leading the championship even just before the summer break. However, McLaren and others are working to end Red Bull's dominance. Before the Belgian Grand Prix, the industry leader faces several problems.
Feeling very much at home in the Ardennes for Max Verstappen, but trouble looms before the Belgian Grand Prix. "Spa has always been my favorite track," says the Dutch driver born in Hasselt, Belgium. "However, these are difficult times for him: Verstappen has been waiting for a win for three Grands Prix, the last such drought for him was in 2021. And at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, his search for dominance may continue."
According to several industry publications, Red Bull's star driver will have to start the race with a significant handicap. His RB20's combustion engine is likely to be replaced. Since it would be the fifth power unit for the 26-year-old in this season, he would have to serve a ten-place grid penalty.
Verstappen on the track "with its fast corners and many overtaking opportunities" should not be a problem, one might think. He has been penalized from the pole position there in the past two years. In 2023, he dominated from sixth place, and in 2022, even from 14th place. But this year is different.
"Hungary was a difficult race and a weekend we need to forget and move on from," Verstappen said looking back. The world champion finished fifth in the previous race and drew criticism from angry radio messages. To make matters worse, he collided with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton after a virtual safety car.
"Max is frustrated, but we have to move on," said Red Bull's motorsport boss Helmut Marko after the race. Tough times in the world champion team, with McLaren playing a significant role. McLaren celebrated their first double victory since 2021, thanks to Oscar Piastri, who won his first Grand Prix, and Lando Norris. In the constructors' championship, McLaren is only 51 points behind Red Bull and regularly scores points with both cars. Verstappen, however, is almost a lone fighter in his team.
His Mexican teammate Sergio Perez is in a slump and has scored only 17 points since the Monaco Grand Prix - Verstappen scored 104, Piastri 96, Norris 88. In Spa, Perez may be driving his last race for Red Bull, fighting for his job before the summer break.
Verstappen, however, is deep in a rut in Belgium, expecting Red Bull to be "playing catch-up" against McLaren again. Perhaps the heavens can help. "Of course, the weather makes things a bit unpredictable," says Verstappen. With a little luck, the rain could bring him back to his old form - despite the possible penalty. Rain is forecast for both Friday and Saturday.
SkySport analysts have been closely following Red Bull Racing's struggles, with Max Verstappen's dominant streak in Formula 1 somewhat diminished. Despite this, Verstappen remains optimistic about his chances at the Belgian Grand Prix, citing his love for the Spa-Francorchamps circuit and its history of unpredictable weather conditions. McLaren, led by drivers Lando Norris and the recently victorious Oscar Piastri, is poised to challenge Red Bull's dominance, adding yet another layer of complexity to the upcoming race.
