Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing are gearing up for the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, hoping to reverse a troubling trend that has seen their dominance in Formula 1 come under serious threat.
After a remarkable two-year reign that has included numerous victories and championships, the team is now facing a critical juncture as they prepare for the street circuit in Baku.
With their last win dating back to June at the Spanish Grand Prix, both Verstappen and Red Bull are under pressure to reclaim their winning form and fend off the rising competition from McLaren and Ferrari.
The 2024 F1 season has been a rollercoaster for the Milton Keynes outfit particularly in recent months, with a string of six races without a victory while Verstappen arrives in Baku with a 62-point lead over Lando Norris in the drivers’ championship.
However, the gap in the constructors’ standings has narrowed significantly, with Red Bull’s lead over McLaren reduced to just eight points. This precarious position has heightened the stakes for the team as they strive to maintain their status at the top of the championship standings.
Verstappen’s recent performances have been less than stellar, culminating in a disappointing sixth-place finish at the Italian GP. His last victory, his 61st, came in Barcelona while teammate Sergio Perez last won on the streets of Baku, claiming his sixth career triumph and second Azerbaijan Grand Prix win last year.
The performance dip has raised concerns about Red Bull’s current form and their ability to edge out their rivals. Pressure is mounting on Verstappen and Perez as the team works to identify and rectify the issues that have plagued their RB20 in recent races.
Adding to Red Bull’s struggles is the impending departure of Adrian Newey, the team’s chief designer, who has announced his move to Aston Martin as their new Managing Technical Partner starting in March 2025.
Newey’s departure marks the end of an era for Red Bull, as he has been instrumental in their success over the past two decades. His exit has been speculated to be one of the underlying causes of the team’s struggles with the design genius no longer working on the RB20.
However, in the lead-up to the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Verstappen has expressed optimism about the team’s ability to bounce back.
“Monza was a tough race for us and it is our priority to get our form back to where it needs to be,” the 26-year old said. “We always want to be more competitive and the team has been working hard on the issues we’ve had.”
The team has been engaging in extensive analysis and reflection since their last race, focusing on the technical challenges that have hindered their performance. Both Verstappen and Perez have been actively working with the engineering team to find solutions.
“We’ve had a good period of reflection and work since the last race,” said Perez. “Both Max and I have been in the factory working to ensure we are finding a fix for the problems.
“To get back to where we should be on the grid, it will take a team effort and you can see that every day in Milton Keynes. This has pulled us all together.”
Perez’s experience on the Baku street circuit could be a crucial asset for the team, as he is the only driver to have won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix twice, in 2021 and 2023. His familiarity with the track may provide Red Bull with an edge as they seek to regain their winning momentum.
Baku is known for its unique challenges, with a street circuit that combines high-speed straights and tight corners. The track layout demands not only technical precision but also a driver’s ability to navigate the narrow turns.
The atmosphere of the event, coupled with the potential for unpredictable race outcomes, makes it an exciting opportunity for Red Bull to reclaim their dominance.
However, as they seek to recover, their rivals are not standing still. McLaren and Ferrari have shown significant improvements in recent races, with both teams eager to capitalize on Red Bull’s struggles.
McLaren, in particular, has been on a resurgence, and they will be looking to outscore Red Bull in Baku to take the lead in the constructors’ championship.
