F1 | Max: “Procedures changed to avoid Melbourne's problems”

Red Bull was for months – almost 2 years – an almost perfect car in the hands of Max Verstappen. Not only at the single-seater level, but also at the team level, with errors pinpointed and many operations carried out in an almost impeccable manner, so much so as to lead to 4 championships between 2022 and the dominant 2023.

This idyllic period which lasted over 24 months ended at the Australian Grand Prix, the third round of the 2024 season where Max was forced to retire after just 5 laps due to a brake failure on his RB20, leaving the way clear for Ferrari for a unexpected double.

The Milton Keynes team, which is often a very meticulous team, immediately took action to prevent certain errors from being repeated in the future. Max Verstappen revealed that Red Bull has decided to change some procedures for this very reason.

“The brake problem wasn't a real failure, but we clearly had to work on it to make sure it couldn't happen again. We decided to change some procedures to make sure it doesn't happen again.”

“It's really difficult to explain how something like this could happen, but the main thing is really to make sure it can't happen again over the course of the sessions and the race weekend.”

During the break week between Melbourne and Suzuka, home of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, Adrian Newey was the subject of tempting enticements from Aston Martin Racing, with Lawrence Stroll making the classic offer that is difficult to refuse. Max, however, thinks that Red Bull should under no circumstances let go of one of the main players in the dominance that has often seen the 25-year-old Dutchman prevail – not to say almost always.

“Adrian, over the years, has changed his role at Red Bull slightly, but everyone plays a very important role in the successes we have. Of course I can stress that everyone must remain united within the team, but if someone wants to leave, you can't always prevent it. I haven't spoken to Adrian about it, to be honest, nor do I know what's going on. I don't deal with these things either. And then I don't want to read all these stories.”

“There are many people who make our car fast, but ultimately I would like Adrian to stay with the team, rather than leave to another team. Of course, if he were to leave, he would take a lot of knowledge with him. Especially when it comes to single-seaters ground effect”.

To conclude, Max indicated Ferrari as the main antagonist of the season. At the very least, the most credible one. The question mark, however, is linked to who between Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will be the Maranello driver who will bother him the most during the season.

“Honestly we didn't see in Melbourne what I could have done in the race. In the pre-grid laps I felt really good in the car, but I've always found it difficult to make a judgment in a situation like that. But I would have said the same if the same thing had happened what to others, that is, if someone else had won the first two races and I had then won the third. In this case you always think: 'We'll find out how things are later'”.

“In general yes, Ferrari is our real, great rival. Up until now it absolutely has been. Both Ferrari drivers are fast, so I think it depends above all on who can be consistent throughout the season, regarding who Between Leclerc and Sainz he will be our biggest threat.”