Crimson Bull’s repute because the benchmark for F1 pit stops is underneath fireplace, with 4 errors in simply two races triggering inner frustrations and knowledgeable hypothesis. What as soon as felt like an unshakable a part of their dominance is now turning right into a reliability challenge—and consultants are pointing fingers at a deeper system failure that could possibly be sabotaging Max verstappen.
On the podcast, Ted Kravitz, Bernie Collins, and Simon Lazenby explored the shocking fall from grace of Crimson Bull’s famously slick pit crew. Kravitz identified that frustrations have been boiling over post-race, with the Dutchman’s supervisor Raymond Vermeulen visibly irked after the Bahrain GP.
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“When all the pieces isn’t so nice on the automotive, at the least we have to have good pit stops,” Max mentioned, as quoted by Kravitz.
Probably the most alarming takeaway? Crimson BUll has logged 4 pit cease issues in simply two weekends—one thing Collins describes as “extremely uncommon.” The checklist features a sluggish cease in Japan that compelled him into battle with Lando Norris, malfunctioning visitors mild programs for each Verstappen and Tsunoda in Bahrain, and a front-right challenge once more for Verstappen.
Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen previous to the Chinese language GP.Mark Sutton – System 1/System 1 by way of Getty Pictures
“It stands out to me as being not regular for Crimson Bull by some stretch,” Collins mentioned, questioning whether or not the staff has been compelled to alter components of its pit cease programs—probably resulting from regulation adjustments or new testing procedures.
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With Jonathan Wheatley, their long-time Sporting Director and pit cease operations lead, now gone to Visa Money App Racing Bulls, Kravitz questioned aloud if his absence has left a void Crimson Bull underestimated.
Past pit stops, the issues appear structural. The staff is affected by a wind tunnel correlation challenge, impacting stability, tire grip, and braking. The reigning champion, who completed sixth in Bahrain, lamented: “I don’t want to listen to how a lot is coming or how a lot it’s going to matter. I simply need it to return after which we’ll see.”
As Lazenby mused, Verstappen’s driving is probably going masking a seeper technical disaster. If Crimson Bull can’t flip the tide quickly, the paddock whispers about Max’s 2026 exit clause will solely get louder.
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