Frédéric Vasseur: Red Bull is no longer in their 'comfort zone'

According to Ferrari team manager Frederic Vasseur, Red Bull's lead over the rest of the field is no longer in a "comfort zone." The Milton Keynes-based team dominated the competition in 2023, taking first place in all but one race to capture two championships. However, in the first six rounds of this year, it has already suffered two defeats: Ferrari won in Australia, and McLaren triumphed in Miami last time around.

Meanwhile, the CEO of McLaren Zak Brown continues to make fun of Red Bull, claiming employees are applying for jobs with "bosses they would like to work alongside" and "brands they're proud of." Brown argued that after it was confirmed that Adrian Newey would be leaving Red Bull, further applications were provided to McLaren from Red Bull staff throughout the Miami Grand Prix weekend.

Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff commented on the American's comment, and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner took revenge, accusing the Austrian of recruiting employees for his team from the Brackley-based firm.

I think that’s a game changer in the management of the race: Vasseur

“It’s almost [been] like this from the beginning of the season, depending on the track. I think honestly that Red Bull is still ahead, probably Max could have won without the story of the Safety Car. I don’t want to draw conclusions on this, but [he had] a pole position and they still have a small advantage,” Vasseur told media including RacingNews365.

“What is true is that, compared to one year ago, when we are able to do a good job and to put everything together, we are there. It means we are putting them a little bit under pressure [and] they have to be a bit more aggressive with the strategy. They are not anymore in the comfort zone of last year where it doesn’t matter what happened – after  Lap 2 they were in front. I think that’s a game changer in the management of the race," he added further.