Max Verstappen has publicly challenged comments from Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko regarding the team’s difficulties during the Hungarian Grand Prix, expressing doubt about swift solutions. Despite being the defending champion, Verstappen struggled throughout the weekend, failing to reach higher than eighth in any qualifying segment on Saturday, which dealt a serious setback to his title defense ambitions. The race on Sunday did not improve his position, as he finished ninth, slipping one place further down the order.
Following the race, Marko conveyed optimism that the root causes of Verstappen’s troubles had been uncovered, stating,
“I don’t expect it to happen like this again in other races.”
However, Verstappen was quick to dispute that, offering a more cautious view about resolving the issues that plagued his performance.
Speaking to De Telegraaf, Verstappen said,
“That’s a bit easy to say.”
He described his weekend as consistently slow, acknowledging a lack of grip that the team struggled to diagnose fully, adding,
“Of course, we have our theories about where that came from, but I can’t always elaborate on that here. I struggled particularly in the slow corners and everyone drove away from me.”
Looking Ahead: Verstappen Shifts Focus to 2026 and Remaining Title Battles
The disappointing Hungarian GP result was a significant blow to Verstappen’s hopes of securing a fifth consecutive drivers’ championship. Currently, he trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by a wide margin of 97 points, with Lando Norris—who won the Hungarian GP—also ahead by 88 points in second place. Verstappen now faces the task of overturning a nearly insurmountable deficit in the remaining 10 races this season, starting with his home race at Zandvoort after the summer break.
Rumors had circulated about Verstappen potentially leaving Red Bull at the end of the current contract, but the 65-time race winner recently confirmed his commitment to stay with the team through 2026. This year marks a pivotal period as new engine regulations introduced in 2026 may lead to changes in team dynamics and the competitive hierarchy.
Recent F1 Updates and Team Dynamics
The Hungarian GP weekend also saw several notable developments in Formula 1, including a driver health update following a crash during testing and tension within team leadership. A rival F1 boss accused Red Bull CEO Christian Horner of crossing professional boundaries recently, adding to the complex environment surrounding the team.
Verstappen’s struggle at the Hungarian Grand Prix, coupled with the ongoing pressure from competitors and internal team challenges, underscores a tense and urgent phase for Red Bull. How the team adapts and resolves these issues will be critical not only for Verstappen’s title hopes this season but also for maintaining their dominance in the sport as new technical rules approach in the coming years.