Max Verstappen breaks silence on potential grid penalty over power unit change

Max Verstappen could face a severe grid penalty after fixing his fifth ICE in the 2024 season.

Max Verstappen breaks silence on potential grid penalty over power unit change

Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Red Bull’s struggling form mid-way through the 2024 season has been taken very seriously by the constructor. Milton Keynes implemented further upgrades and started to improve performance over the weekends. Additionally, the Austrian constructor resorted to driving the older RB18 around the Imola circuit as part of a ‘secret test’. Hence, there were rumors of a potential penalty for Max Verstappen at the Austrian GP.

Max Verstappen drove around the Imola circuit to further learn about the chassis’s newer issues. The ‘secret test’ was considered a violation of regulations by multiple teams. Hence, there was a potential penalty for the Dutchman due to this. Apart from this, Red Bull’s struggling pace was attempted to be cured by fixing a total of four different ICE in Verstappen’s chassis.

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Hence, the fixing of a fifth Combustion Engine would cause a ten-grid penalty for the Dutchman. Upon this situation, Verstappen noted that the situation wasn’t looking great at the moment. As a result, the team had to resort to such extreme measures. Additionally, the 26-year-old was waiting to see how the entire matter pans out for Red Bull during the 2024 season.

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At the time, it was not looking great, not necessarily the engine itself, but just the situation, I'm just waiting to see what comes out of it.
Max Verstappen said, as reported by racingnews365.com.

Max Verstappen claims Red Bull facing ‘diffculties’ in 2024

Max Verstappen didn’t hesitate to point out the problems in the chassis during the 2024 season. Hence, upon the issues, he noted that everyone moved closer in terms of performance in this season. Additionally, the 26-year-old claimed that it was ‘more difficult’ this season and the team needed to be honest about this.

In general, everyone has moved closer and of course last year we had a hugely dominant season, even until the last race, At the moment it's a bit more difficult and I think we just have to be honest about that. We can say, 'It's normal', but I don't think it's normal.
Max Verstappen noted.
Max Verstappen, elmut Marko and Christian Horner
Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner (Via: Imago)

Additionally, only winning the races wasn’t enough for Verstappen due to the impending issues in the chassis. Red Bull could always be better in terms of performance and this was the reason the Dutchman bought it up. Milton Keynes needed to continue to work hard as the 26-year-old would continuously remain straightforward and critical regarding the issues.

We always want to be better and that's why I bring it up. I can say we won and it's fine, but that's not how I see it. We have to keep working hard. If we think this is normal, people are going to overtake us. I'm always very straightforward and critical because I always want to improve. 
Max Verstappen concluded.

Red Bull will have to implement multiple in-season upgrades to extend the lead over rivals in both the world championships. The competition is bunching up at the forefront. As a result, the end of the season could witness a great battle between quite a few teams for the championship.

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