Max Verstappen F1: Red Bull star SLAMS 'removal' order claim amid driver's fears

Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Hungary, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

Red Bull Racing

Red Bull star SLAMS 'removal' order claim amid Verstappen fears

Calum Nicholas delivers x-rated rant over claim

Rhys Thomas

Saturday 17 August 2024 09:57 Updated: 16:05

A key figure at Red Bull has strongly contested the claim that the team has had to remove a design feature from their cars.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit roared to the perfect start in 2024 with consecutive one-two finishes at the opening two races of the season.

F1 HEADLINES: Newey announces Red Bull extension as Verstappen emphasises loyalty

Article continues under video

Max Verstappen has continued in largely excellent form since then, though wins for both drivers at McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes have demonstrated how Red Bull's advantage has slimmed, if not evaporated entirely.

One reporter has suggested that an order to remove a 'clever' design element on their cars could have hampered the team, but a Red Bull representative has forcefully denied that is the case.

Max Verstappen and Red Bull began the season in dominant form

McLaren have reeled Red Bull since winning the Miami Grand Prix

Why are Red Bull no longer the outright fastest car?

Red Bull have dominated the 'ground effect' era of F1 since 2022, winning both drivers' and constructors' championships in both full seasons since the regulations changes.

This year, Verstappen looks to have his fourth title under control, but their advantage as a team is just 42 points over McLaren.

Red Bull's gap to the other teams seemed relatively steady until the Miami Grand Prix, which Lando Norris won.

Including that race, Red Bull have only won three times in the last nine events, despite Verstappen's only blemish of the opening five races being his mechanical failure in Australia.

Now, F1 reporter Peter Windsor has written that Red Bull were ordered to remove a design feature before the Florida race.

On X, he said: "Looks as though RBR [Red Bull Racing] might have been running a clever rear cross-brake inertia valve before they were obliged to remove it before Miami.

"This could explain Max's RR [rear right] brake drama in MEL [Melbourne, where he retired with his rear right brake smoking] and his turn-in grief since China."

Red Bull's Calum Nicholas has hit out over Red Bull removal claims

Red Bull have reportedly had to remove a design feature from their cars

Verstappen has been vocal on team radio complaining about issues with the car's balance and steering, especially so as wins have dried up for the triple world champion.

In Hungary, the Dutchman complained that, "I’m minus five brake bias and the thing just doesn’t f****** turn. It’s unbelievable.”

Red Bull's supposed 'cross-brake inertia valve' could have allowed asymmetric braking, something the sport's governing body, the FIA, have made clear is prohibited in the latest changes to the sporting regulations.

Whether Red Bull were benefitting from such a piece of engineering is unclear. Calum Nicholas, a mechanic who has been with Red Bull since 2015, disputed the claim that the team had been ordered to remove any such valve.

"Yea… this is bulls***…. Unsurprisingly," he replied in response to Windsor's post. When pushed on why he believes that is the case, Nicholas added: "I’ve been building the car for the last 14 races."

Nicholas is one of the more prominent engineers on the grid due his social media presence, often engaging with fans on F1 and non-sport matters.

Red Bull Max Verstappen Ferrari Mercedes McLaren Adrian Newey