James Hinchcliffe believes Max Verstappen’s emotions can ‘outweigh’ feelings within Red Bull

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James Hinchcliffe isn’t concerned about the internal functioning within Red Bull amid recent frustrations over the team’s performance.

Verstappen has openly contemplated retirement from Formula One due to his disappointment with Red Bull’s performance this season.

While Verstappen wants a return to pure racing, the current dissatisfaction with Red Bull and their output so far has certainly not helped matters.

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Christian Horner had warned Red Bull would struggle with the regulations years ago, and that prediction has come to fruition.

However, with Max Verstappen being so frustrated, there is a concern that his demeanour is now starting to affect members of the Red Bull team.

READ MORE: Jolyon Palmer suspects Mercedes’ interest in signing Max Verstappen is already starting to fade

James Hinchcliffe questions what more Max Verstappen can do internally for Red Bull

James Hinchcliffe spoke on the F1 Nation podcast about Max Verstappen’s recent frustration with Red Bull, and what impact it’s having on the team.

While Verstappen’s demeanour and emotional reaction can have a negative impact, members of the Red Bull staff are familiar with him enough to know that he has a tendency to get carried away.

“We don’t know what’s happening back at the factory. Comments in the press were one thing. What’s said behind closed doors, I think, is a very different thing… We don’t know what he’s saying in the garage. Maybe he’s already done that.

“I can think back to races over the last couple of years, where the balance isn’t great. Max is having an okay session or an okay race. And if you listened to his radio, you would think that he was having the worst Grand Prix that any driver has ever experienced in their life. That’s Max.

“And I think everybody that works at Red Bull knows that, to a certain extent, Max’s emotions can outweigh the actual feelings within the camp… This is a time to galvanise the team behind him.

READ MORE: Jolyon Palmer thinks Red Bull’s ‘racing spirit’ for Max Verstappen cost them RB22 development

James Hinchcliffe believes Red Bull still have complete faith in Max Verstappen

Speaking further on the podcast, Hinchcliffe noted that, despite all the issues, Red Bull staffers are fully behind Max Verstappen every time he gets on the track.

“They’re so used to winning over the last half-decade, and they’re not in that position right now, but they’ve proved that they can make a comeback when properly motivated and heading in the right direction. But I think the people there know Max, they believe in Max…

“When he is strapped into that car, he is driving to within 100% of his ability. And that’s what a team wants to know – is that the 100% effort they’re putting in behind the scenes to build a better car is being matched by the driver inside the car.

“Take soundbites out of it, I’d be surprised if anyone on the team could argue Max isn’t doing that part. Can the cheerleading part maybe get a big better? Maybe. We don’t know what’s being said behind closed doors. But I think they’ve got faith in what he’s doing behind the wheel.”

Verstappen has been a leader for Red Bull for a long time. And while he may not be happy with the team’s performance this season, he is certainly doing everything in his power to make sure things improve.

However, there are concerns about Verstappen’s focus on Red Bull and how committed he is. That commitment is likely to be tested as the season goes on.