Red Bull F1 decline traced back to last year’s Spanish GP

Christian Horner has identified the decline of Red Bull Racing as beginning at the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix, despite Max Verstappen's continued success in winning races afterward. The team made a critical error with an underbody upgrade during the Barcelona race, which led to performance issues, particularly affecting Sergio Perez. Although Verstappen won the race by a significant margin, the team did not recognize the severity of the problem due to his ongoing victories. Following the Spanish GP, Verstappen went on to win 14 races, securing his third consecutive F1 world title. However, the team has faced challenges this season, with McLaren emerging as a strong competitor, culminating in Oscar Piastri's recent victory in Azerbaijan, which allowed McLaren to surpass Red Bull in the constructors' standings. Verstappen's performance has also declined, as he has not won in the last seven races, with his lead in the drivers' championship shrinking to 59 points after a disappointing finish in Baku. The team has also encountered off-track issues, including an investigation into Horner's conduct, which ultimately cleared him, and the impending departures of key personnel, including Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley. Verstappen acknowledged the team's struggles, attributing them to a misjudgment in car setup that affected handling. As Red Bull looks to recover, they face the challenge of regaining their competitive edge in the upcoming races, particularly at the Singapore Grand Prix.