Despite a decline in their car's performance in recent weeks, Red Bull's F1 advisor Dr. Helmut Marko has acknowledged that a current priority for the team is resolving Max Verstappen's displeasure.
"Max is really angry," disclosed Verstappen's long-time guide, the 81-year-old Marko, in a conversation with Auto Bild on Tuesday.
It appears that the triple world champion grew intensely frustrated during the Hungarian Grand Prix as it became apparent that a significant Red Bull car update failed to challenge McLaren's newfound leadership in Formula 1.
Those close to Verstappen were caught off guard by the extent of his rage last weekend.
"Seeing Max like that, and how he was after the race, is not something I like to see as a motorsport fan," former F1 driver and Dutch GP director Jan Lammers commented to NOS.
"We don't want him to be more or less indifferent about second or third places, but we also have to accept that he is quite a bad loser."
Comparisons to his unpredictable father Jos are becoming more frequent as Verstappen ages. "You know what I saw in him in Hungary?" F1 commentator Olav Mol remarked. "I saw Jos."
Echoing these sentiments on Ziggo Sport, ex-Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos noted, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Marko clarified that Verstappen's especially poor mood last Sunday wasn't due to his late night, finishing at 3.30 am after a simulation racing session on the morning of the race.
"He expected more from the upgrade," Marko told Osterreich.
Further explaining to Auto Bild, Marko added, "Max is really angry. We now have to make sure that his mood improves again. Our car has to get better again. Unfortunately, the updates didn't work as we wanted."
"So it's about improving the car again and giving Max a good feeling. Then he will have no reason to think about a (team) change."
"Tempers will calm down again," he concluded. "He is the best driver in Formula 1. He makes the difference. He also knows that we know that."
Despite rumors of a potential move to Mercedes amidst internal leadership challenges and the Christian Horner scandal in 2024, Red Bull reportedly solidified Verstappen's contractual bonds over the Hungarian GP weekend by negotiating a new side agreement with Marko, severing any contractual ties between Marko and Verstappen.
Acknowledging the strategic shift, Marko admitted that holding onto Verstappen is essential, drawing a contrast to the decision a decade ago to let Sebastian Vettel transfer to Ferrari a year before his contract ended.
"It's different with Max," Marko emphasized.
