Mechanical Failure or Internal Upset? Red Bull’s Australian Grand Prix Woes

Former Formula 1 driver Giedo van der Garde has raised questions about the rare mechanical failure that cost Max Verstappen in the Australian Grand Prix, suggesting a possible link to the off-track saga surrounding Red Bull Racing.

Despite Red Bull’s strong start to the 2024 F1 season with one-two finishes in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the team found themselves embroiled in off-track controversies involving team figures such as Christian Horner, Helmut Marko, and Verstappen himself.

As Verstappen arrived in Melbourne seeking a record-equalling 10th consecutive victory, hopes were high. However, those ambitions were dashed when Verstappen’s RB20 experienced a fiery failure on the right rear brake, forcing him into an early retirement after losing the lead to Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.

Van der Garde, speaking on the DRS De Race Show podcast, speculated on the cause of the mechanical failure, suggesting the possibility of internal unrest within Red Bull affecting performance. While dismissing sabotage, he pondered whether internal turmoil could have led to critical errors within the team.

“It was either a mechanical problem with the brake, or someone forgot to do something,”

“It’s certainly strange that this happened right now at Red Bull. I’m not saying it’s sabotage – certainly not.”

“But when there are internal messes in a team like that, people can make mistakes. We haven’t seen it in two years. It was such a well-oiled machine. Everything ran so perfectly.

“So does this have something to do with what’s going on at the top?”

The incident marked a rare setback for Red Bull, with Verstappen experiencing his first Did Not Finish (DNF) since 2022. Van der Garde’s remarks raise questions about the team’s internal dynamics and whether recent controversies may have impacted their performance on the track.

Despite Verstappen’s retirement and teammate Sergio Perez’s struggles, Red Bull still maintains a narrow lead in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. However, Ferrari capitalized on Red Bull’s misfortune, securing a one-two finish with Sainz taking the win and Charles Leclerc in second place.

As the F1 season progresses, the focus remains on Red Bull’s ability to maintain their competitive edge amid internal challenges and fierce competition from rival teams.