As the Australian Grand Prix concluded last week, Charles Leclerc and Ferrari are flying high and are in a league of their own. Meanwhile, many believed Red Bull will challenge them for the Championship. However, the wheels are not going in the right direction for the Milton Keynes based team. They are languishing down in 3rd and are already 49 points behind the leaders.
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To add to their woes, Max Verstappen is 6th in the driver’s standings. Mercedes has taken full advantage of Red Bull’s mishaps. They sit second in the constructors’ championship despite struggling with several issues themselves. Former Red Bull driver, Mark Webber, criticized the Bulls and admitted they need to resolve their issues ahead of the race in Imola.
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Mark Webber is worried about Red Bull
Max Verstappen’s win in Jeddah sparked hope in the Red Bull camp. They were faster on the straights compared to Ferrari and secured valuable points. However, Verstappen’s retirement in Australia due to fuel leakage meant the Milton-Keynes based team is back to square one. Mark Webber touched upon Red Bull’s reliability issues in the first three rounds of the 2022 season.
He said, “Of course, the speed’s there. They are strong but [they were] not strong enough to win the race [in Australia]. But when you hemorrhage 18 points and maybe the fastest lap and all the rest of it, they are big points down the drain, huge points.”
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The Australian also admitted that Ferrari and Leclerc have a spring in their steps and Red Bull will have to solve their issues quickly to get back in the race for the Championship. With Honda leaving in 2021, Red Bull hoped the introduction of Red Bull Powertrains will result in success. However, multiple issues with reliability and fuel for both Red Bull and AlphaTauri, have raised question marks already.
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Webber revealed the team has to climb a mountain. But he is optimistic ahead of the Italian Grand Prix. He added, “Also, we have to look at AlphaTauri. They had a ropey start in terms of reliability, both in Bahrain and Saudi, so there are some mice in the machinery.
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 20, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in action during the race REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Red Bull, at Milton Keynes, they’re going to have to work hard, of course. They’re not shy of putting a shift in. But I tell you what, the Prancing Horse are well down the road at the moment. They have got the wind in their sails.”
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Italy is, of course, Ferrari’s home and they will look to carry the momentum forward. However, with only three races completed, Red Bull will look to sort out their issues and challenge Ferrari. Can Red Bull bounce back after a disappointing start? It remains to be seen.
