Red Bull is facing turbulent times as their dominance in Formula 1 comes under threat, a situation that seemed unimaginable just a few months ago. The recent comments by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko have not only shocked the team but also highlighted a significant shift in the 2024 season. Max Verstappen, once the untouchable force on the grid, has been stunned by McLaren’s recent surge, led by Lando Norris. As the season progresses, Red Bull now faces the daunting prospect of losing its grip on both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.

McLaren’s recent domination, with Norris winning by 21 seconds over Verstappen at the Singapore Grand Prix, has shaken the Formula 1 landscape. Norris has secured pole positions and victories in three of the last four races since the summer break, propelling McLaren to the top of the standings. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s Red Bull has struggled to find the pace, going winless in eight races—the worst stretch since 2020. Marko’s revelations point to McLaren’s superior performance, particularly their ability to extract significantly more speed from medium tires, something Red Bull couldn’t match. Marko admitted that even with an optimized car, Red Bull couldn’t have driven the times McLaren set, describing it as “a whole new world” for the team.

The sudden rise of McLaren has coincided with Red Bull’s slump. At Monza, Verstappen referred to his RB2 as a “monster,” grappling with balance issues that have plagued the car’s performance. Helmut Marko echoed these sentiments, pointing out that Red Bull’s car needed a wider operating window to give Verstappen the front-end grip he thrives on. Monza represented a low point, but Red Bull has since worked to rectify the situation. Minor upgrades introduced at Baku provided a glimmer of hope, as Verstappen finished second in Singapore. However, Marko insists this is not enough, and the upcoming races, particularly in Austin, will be the ultimate test.

McLaren’s rise hasn’t just been attributed to their car’s speed. The Woking-based team has optimized their car’s balance, and Verstappen himself acknowledged how difficult it’s been to compete with Norris’ McLaren. He admitted that Red Bull’s early-season form was misleading, masking deeper problems that have now come to the surface. The RB2’s handling issues—particularly with its front-to-rear balance—have made it harder for Verstappen to maintain the pace, especially as other teams have made significant strides.

Another key factor in Red Bull’s struggles is their outdated wind tunnel, which Verstappen touched on, explaining that while it had served them well until now, it was perhaps becoming a limiting factor. The correlation between data gathered in the tunnel and real-world performance hasn’t been as reliable, making it harder for Red Bull to find the right balance. Other teams, like McLaren, have clearly optimized their own wind tunnel results, allowing them to emerge as the new benchmark in Formula 1.

As the season heads towards its final stages, Red Bull is at a critical juncture. Marko’s comments suggest that the team is aware of the challenge they face, especially in trying to close the gap with McLaren. While Verstappen leads the Drivers’ Championship by 52 points, Red Bull has fallen behind McLaren in the Constructors’ standings, and the fight is far from over. Marko admitted that coming second isn’t good enough, emphasizing the need for Verstappen to win at least two more races to secure the title.

The real test will come in Austin, where Red Bull will introduce their last major upgrade of the season. Both Verstappen and Marko have expressed cautious optimism that the changes will help them regain competitiveness. Verstappen, though acknowledging the improvements made in Baku, knows that time is running out. With just six races left, the pressure is on for Red Bull to get it right, or face a disappointing end to a season that once seemed destined for domination.

Red Bull’s story this season has been one of highs and unexpected lows, with McLaren’s resurgence posing the greatest threat to their supremacy in years. Verstappen’s confidence and Red Bull’s late-season upgrades could still turn things around, but the Austin race may be the defining moment. Has McLaren truly overtaken Red Bull, or can Verstappen and his team bounce back to reclaim their top spot? The world of Formula 1 is watching closely.