Verstappen Criticizes Red Bull's Recent Development Direction

Three-time world champion Max Verstappen has publicly voiced his concerns about Red Bull Racing's recent development direction following a string of races where the team has struggled to match the pace of McLaren and Ferrari.

"We started the season strongly, but it feels like we've lost our way a bit with the development," Verstappen said after finishing third in the latest Grand Prix. "The car doesn't feel as connected as it did at the beginning of the year, and we're seeing that in the results."

Red Bull, who dominated the 2023 season with a record number of wins, has found themselves increasingly under pressure as their rivals have made significant strides forward. The team currently sits third in the constructors' championship, trailing McLaren by 77 points.

Team Principal Christian Horner acknowledged Verstappen's comments but remained optimistic: "Max is right to push us - that's what champions do. We know where we need to improve, and we have updates coming that should address some of the issues we've been experiencing. This championship is far from over."

Technical Director Pierre Waché added: "We've identified the areas where we've lost performance relative to our competitors. Sometimes in F1, you take a development path that doesn't yield the expected results. The important thing is how quickly you can correct course."

Red Bull is expected to bring a significant upgrade package to the next race as they look to regain their early-season form and close the gap to the leaders.