Mid-season review: Red Bull, the right year?

Is this translation correct: Season or never for Red Bull? At the dawn of a new era in F1, the energy drink team has the opportunity to win a fifth world title after Sebastian Vettel’s epic (2010-2013). The goal for 2021 is therefore the title. To succeed, Max Verstappen can rely on Sergio Perez’s experience. It should be noted that Red Bull has chosen to call upon a driver who is not from its academy. With the talent of the Dutchman, the two drivers bring in important points. If the gap between the two is still high at mid-season, the Mexican nonetheless manages to perform in his car.

After a season with mixed results (two wins and eleven podiums, editor’s note), the team has in its possession a competitive car. The reliability of the engine and its speed allow it to finally and regularly compete with Mercedes. Only twelve points separate the two teams. Mercedes is in the lead with 303 points and Red Bull just behind with 291 points. The Austrian team already has six wins this season, five of which are for Verstappen. This gives hope to Red Bull for the future. The season is still long and anything can happen quickly in F1. Especially since Max Verstappen will want to make up for the recent incidents.

Go all the way for Verstappen

Max Verstappen knows it very well. This is definitely the season not to be missed. With 187 points and currently 8 points behind Lewis Hamilton in front of him, the Dutchman has never been closer to winning a first championship title, his ultimate dream. It must be said that the driver doesn’t let go of the Mercedes. Determined to beat his British rival, Verstappen has the right car. Very fast on the straight line, as well as in the curves, it doesn’t budge. Ideal for Max’s driving style. With five victories, including three in a row, and eight podiums, Verstappen is definitely delivering and maintaining strong pressure on Hamilton. And this pressure between the two drivers is even felt outside the circuits. Since their collision at Silverstone, the atmosphere is tense. The Dutchman accuses Hamilton of causing the accident and therefore the race. A tension that even opposed the bosses of the two teams. The cost of the bill for this collision for Red Bull amounts to a total of $1.8 million, in addition to causing damage to the engine.

Verstappen is facing misfortune that has been following him from year to year. In 2020, he retired five times. Twice this season, he retired. The first time in Baku while he was far ahead. Luckily, Hamilton didn’t score any points. In contrast to Silverstone where the Briton finished first after a spectacular comeback. When it’s not Hamilton to blame, it’s Bottas causing some problems for the Austrian team. In Hungary, the Finn inadvertently collided with both Red Bulls and a McLaren, causing significant damage to Verstappen’s car. He was still able to finish the race in ninth place. The Dutchman will have to go all the way and give it his all to hope to win this title. It’s up to him to give everything and forget the last season’s troubles to bounce back.

Sergio Perez, slowly but surely

And if Red Bull finally had its second driver? After two consecutive failures with Gasly and Albon, the team struggled to find a driver capable of keeping up with Verstappen. Finally, they turned to Perez and his long experience in F1. Although the results were not convincing at the beginning, the Mexican driver managed to feel comfortable in his car. However, he still needs some time to adapt to the car’s characteristics. In Baku, he took advantage of his teammate’s and Hamilton’s mistakes to secure the first position.

The gap remains high with Verstappen. During qualifying, he often lags far behind in lap times. With 104 points to his name, he is fifth, just four points behind Valtteri Bottas. Fortunately for Red Bull, Bottas is not in great form, allowing the energy drink team to keep up with its Mercedes rival. However, Perez will have to raise his level during the second half of the season to secure his place in the team. While his victory in Baku saved his early season, Christian Horner has not yet decided on his case for 2022. It is up to the Mexican to shine.

The teammates’ match

As suspected, the duel is in favor of Verstappen. Once again very comfortable behind the wheel of his Red Bull, the Dutchman easily dominates the qualifiers (10-1). Sergio Perez can’t keep up with his teammate’s lap times. He is seen several times trailing Max by three or four positions. Verstappen is not planning on giving up the championship. He knows there is an opportunity this season and he proves it during the race.

With three consecutive victories between the French Grand Prix and the Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen is putting a lot of pressure on his rival. When he doesn’t win, he finishes second to avoid falling too far behind. Against his teammate, it’s also a demonstration (9-2). Perez can’t really do anything against the great form of the Dutch driver. If the latter hadn’t been unlucky in the last two races, the driver would probably be leading the overall standings.

Nothing is decided yet for Red Bull, just like for Mercedes. The season is far from over. From the start, however, we can feel that the Austrian team has the upper hand over Mercedes. Verstappen is in better shape than ever with already five victories, and Perez is determined to keep his place in the team by trying to secure valuable points. It’s the season or never for Red Bull and Verstappen to win a world title.