Fred Vasseur: Verstappen’s Errors Reflect Red Bull’s New Pressure

Fred Vasseur, Ferrari team principal, suggests that Max Verstappen has shown a higher rate of errors in the past two races compared to his performance over the last three seasons. However, he remains confident in Red Bull’s ability to recover from these setbacks. Vasseur attributes Red Bull’s recent challenges to increased pressure resulting from their prolonged dominance in Formula 1.

As a team accustomed to leading the pack and setting the pace, the relentless pursuit from their rivals has intensified, leading to heightened expectations and scrutiny. This increased pressure has likely necessitated a more aggressive approach from Red Bull, pushing them beyond their comfort zone and potentially resulting in errors and setbacks.

Following Ferrari’s victory at Monaco, where Charles Leclerc secured an emotional home win, Fred Vasseur downplays expectations of sustained pressure on Red Bull. He acknowledges Verstappen’s recent struggles, particularly at Imola and Monaco, attributing them to the team’s need to push harder in response to heightened competition. Despite Ferrari’s success, Vasseur emphasizes Red Bull’s resilience and anticipates their swift return to form.

Looking ahead to the Canadian Grand Prix, Vasseur notes the circuit’s contrasting characteristics to Monaco, expecting a tightly contested remainder of the season among multiple teams. He highlights the diverse challenges posed by different tracks and anticipates intense competition throughout the championship.