Anthony Davidson provides theory behind Max Verstappen Dutch Grand Prix radio messages

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Max Verstappen suffered one of his biggest defeats in front of his home crowd during the Dutch Grand Prix when Lando Norris crossed the line 22.8 seconds ahead.

The race was a stark contrast to what Max Verstappen is used to, having spent the best part of the last year dominating the field at the wheel of his Red Bull.

Now the team looks like they are in crisis mode as they attempt to understand where they went wrong, after Verstappen claimed Red Bull is now dealing with an issue they did not have at the start of the season.

The Dutchman could be heard over team radio complaining about the balance of his Red Bull RB20, with onboards visibly showing he was struggling with understeer through Turns 9 and 10 at Zandvoort.

Former F1 driver Anthony Davidson believes it is normal that Verstappen would complain over the radio, and offered a theory of why he is airing his concerns to the team when speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast.

Anthony Davidson offers theory on Max Verstappen team radio comments

Verstappen has failed to win five Grands Prix in a row now, having been victorious last time at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Davidson believes the Dutchman and Red Bull no longer have the ‘comfort zone’ they have been used to in the last two seasons.

“It’s normal that a driver would complain on the radio, we just tune into it more because it’s Max and he’s getting beaten,” said Davidson.

“Even though Max knows there isn’t anything the team can do to help him, it’s just him explaining to the team why he can’t go any faster because the car is not doing what I want and what I anticipate.

“You’re getting into these realms now with Max and Red Bull because they’re getting beaten and pushing the car harder, they have no comfort zone anymore.”

Red Bull ‘overstepped mark’ with latest upgrades

Red Bull is facing a development war in the second half of the season with McLaren, after their latest upgrades to the RB20 induced problems.

There is now just 30 points between the pair in the Constructors’ Championship, while Norris has closed in on Verstappen in the Drivers’ Championship.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

According to reports, Red Bull engineers realised they ‘overstepped the mark’ with their aggressive development programme and have effectively got themselves into the same problems as their rivals.

Further upgrades are planned for the next race at Monza, where Red Bull hopes it can use a mix of old and new parts to determine where they are going wrong.