Crimson Bull boss Laurent Mekies has rebuffed claims made by his world champion driver Max Verstappen that the workforce will fail to win once more within the 2025 System 1 season.
Verstappen mentioned on Saturday that “the best way issues are going proper now”, Crimson Bull is not going to add to the 2 grand prix victories it has this 12 months after qualifying a disappointing eighth in Hungary.
He ultimately completed the Hungarian Grand Prix in ninth with team-mate Yuki Tsunoda seventeenth, holding Crimson Bull fourth within the championship, whereas McLaren as soon as once more dominated scoring its seventh 1-2 of 2025.
However Mekies, for whom Hungary was simply his second spherical as Crimson Bull boss, believes the Hungaroring was simply an outlier because the week earlier than Verstappen received the Belgian Grand Prix dash.
“It was a troublesome weekend,” mentioned Mekies, when Verstappen's remark was put to him. “I do not assume what you see this weekend represents the place the automotive is at.
“We settle for the truth that we're in all probability not very sturdy on tracks like right here, however what we've got seen right now was excellent.
Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Crimson Bull Racing
Picture by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Pictures through Getty Pictures
“So, should you look, no query McLaren are quicker, however take a look at Spa, Max was capable of struggle definitely on Saturday and shock everybody within the dash. So, let's examine.
“The season continues to be very lengthy. Even when automotive improvement goes to closely decelerate or is just about going to be minimal to any extent further, we nonetheless have lots of issues we are able to be taught, as this weekend confirmed.
“And thru that, as troublesome and as uncomfortable as it's, essentially you be taught by these types of weekends. So higher to have them early on.
“We are going to be taught and if we're capable of extract a bit extra of the automotive, because of weekends like right now, then hopefully we are able to put up a greater struggle.”
Your complete Budapest weekend was a wrestle for Crimson Bull, which didn't even end a follow session above ninth – main Verstappen to say that “nothing works” on the RB21.
However Crimson Bull advisor Helmut Marko additionally thinks the problems have been particular to the Hungary weekend, including “I don't assume it should occur once more” – a sentiment Mekies doubled down on, as high-speed circuits are the workforce's power.
“I am additionally fairly assured that it is a one-off,” Mekies added. “It is not going to change the truth that we've got a slim window.
Laurent Mekies, Crimson Bull Racing Group Principal
Picture by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
“However I believe to be dramatically out of it like that, I am additionally fairly assured that with all of the exams we have achieved this weekend, together with into the race, I am fairly assured additionally that it is going to be a one-off.
“And to Helmut's level, it's true that it was primarily a slow-speed and a mid-speed matter.
“Due to this fact, it factors in the direction of extra tyre utilization and the tyre being switched on greater than our efficiency.”
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