Red Bull\u00a0 “think we have found the cause” of poor performance<\/h2>\n
Since the very start of this weekend’s action, Red Bull have been unusually off the pace<\/a>.<\/p>\n A combination of poor balance and a lack of grip have prevented the Milton Keynes outfit from challenging at the front.<\/p>\n Even VCARB, Red Bull’s second team, showed greater potential – both in qualifying and the race.<\/p>\n This was demonstrated in Verstappen’s final stint when he failed to overtake Liam Lawson<\/a>, despite the advantage of fresher tyres.<\/p>\n There has been no shortage of discussion about the Austrian squad’s lack of progress over the last eighteen months.<\/p>\n In fact, Red Bull were the only team whose best 2025 qualifying time at the Hungaroring was slower than last year’s.<\/p>\n Considering that several updates have arrived in the last two races, this lack of performance is especially concerning.<\/p>\n It would be unfair to suggest that Verstappen still saw himself as a Championship contender before this weekend. The 27-year-old dismissed a title charge<\/a> some time ago.<\/p>\n However, even the Dutchman wouldn’t have expected the struggles his team experienced throughout the last three days.<\/p>\n Speaking post-race, Helmut Marko was hopeful that Red Bull won’t have another weekend like this one in the remaining 10 rounds:<\/p>\n “I think we found the cause this weekend,” <\/em>Erik van Haren<\/a> quotes Marko as saying.<\/p>\n “I don’t expect it to happen like this in the races after the summer break.<\/em><\/p>\n “Max caught up with Lawson quickly after his second stop. But then the car started sliding, and he was constantly experiencing understeer and then oversteer.<\/em><\/p>\n “After the summer, we have to keep learning and will make a few minor updates.<\/em><\/p>\n “We have to try to get back to being number two behind McLaren.”<\/em><\/p>\n For almost half a decade, Max Verstappen has been the benchmark in Formula 1 – both in terms of accolades and individual performance.<\/p>\n On Friday, therefore, it was a significant moment when the Dutchman set third place – behind the McLaren’s – as his realistic target.<\/p>\n Both the 4-time Champion and his personnel are resigned to the reality of this year’s title picture.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/08\/SI202508030420_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb-1024x682.jpg\")
McLaren beyond reach as Red Bull work to limit the damage<\/h4>\n
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