WATCH: Max Verstappen labels his Red Bull 'A Monster' amidst Italian GP struggles

Reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has termed his Red Bull RB20 as "a monster" following a challenging weekend at the Italian Grand Prix. Despite his best efforts, Verstappen could only secure a sixth-place finish at Monza, a race that saw his lead in the drivers' championship reduced to 62 points over McLaren's Lando Norris.

The Italian GP weekend was marked by difficulty for Red Bull, starting with Verstappen qualifying in seventh place and his teammate Sergio Perez in eighth. This situation left the team in damage control mode.

Although McLaren managed a two-three finish from their initial one-two grid positions, Red Bull's lead in the Constructors' Championship was slashed significantly, from 30 points to just eight. Adding to the pressure, Ferrari is now just 39 points behind the defending champions.

Does Adrian Newey's departure affect Red Bull?

In the aftermath of the race, Verstappen addressed the impact of Adrian Newey's departure, a topic previously highlighted by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. The three-time world champion expressed his continued desire for Newey to remain with the team but shifted focus to the current state of the car.

"I've always said that I would have liked for Adrian to stay. Always," Verstappen told the media, as reported by RacingNews365. He acknowledged the challenge of transforming the RB20 from a once-dominant car into a vehicle struggling to match its competitors.

Here is the video:

The focus is forward for Max ⏭️#F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/rz4KplENvn

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 1, 2024

Red Bull’s recent upgrades have not brought the expected performance gains. The RB20, which once held a clear advantage, was notably the fourth-quickest car at Monza. Verstappen pointed out that the balance of the car has worsened with each new update. He is calling for the team to "work flat out" to address these issues, emphasizing that there are no excuses for the current situation.

When questioned about the timeline for a turnaround, Verstappen remained resolute: "It doesn't matter how many weeks. We have to just keep pushing and work flat out." His statement underscores the urgency and determination required to restore Red Bull’s competitive edge as the season progresses.