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As Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen complained about the Red Bull engine, the FIA’s decision to make them the benchmark becomes all the more perplexing.
Verstappen’s race ended almost instantly in Monaco, as his engine suffered an unexplained issue that forced Red Bull to retire his car.
And even though Isack Hadjar managed to earn his first podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Frenchman admitted that the race was ‘difficult’ due to his own issues with the engine.
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It was definitely a frustrating afternoon for Hadjar in Monte Carlo, as he made his thoughts on the power unit issues clear numerous times over the radio.
But it’s the nature of these comments that raise an important question about how the FIA determined the Red Bull engine to be the benchmark.
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Red Bull drivers complained about ‘broken’ engine despite FIA labelling their engine the benchmark
During the Monaco Grand Prix, both Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar were livid over the issues they faced with the engine.
Hadjar in particular slammed the engine issues as a ‘joke,’ as he tried to get the Red Bull team to scramble for some solutions.
Verstappen: “The engine is broken, guys…”
Hadjar: “Oh my god, the engine braking is a joke! Something is wrong. First gear is not usable… The power is down. They look faster. Something is going to explode. The engine is not healthy right now.”
Hadjar’s comments about the engine feeling like it could explode catches the eye, especially in the aftermath of the FIA’s decision about Red Bull’s engine being the benchmark this season.
The FIA took just one factor into consideration in this process – the internal combustion engine. While that might explain why the Mercedes power unit wasn’t the benchmark, there are still concerns about what Hadjar said.
If Hadjar felt like the engine would explode, that would suggest that his main issue was with the internal combustion engine, especially as Hadjar complained about gear issues, which is directly tied to the ICE.
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The FIA must revisit their ADOU decision in the aftermath of the Monaco Grand Prix
It should be noted that teams were informed about the FIA’s decision on the engines on Sunday morning, before the race, where the engine issues for Red Bull surfaced.
Contrast Red Bull’s engine woes with Mercedes, who seemingly had no issues with either car’s power unit, and it does suggest that the FIA’s decision warrants a rethink.
And given the doubts about Verstappen’s future with Red Bull, the team must push the FIA to reconsider their decision, as they need the ADOU concessions to try and catch up with Mercedes and Ferrari.
With Toto Wolff desperate to bring Verstappen to Mercedes, Red Bull are under an immense amount of pressure to keep the Dutch driver happy.
There were glimpses of their potential over the weekend, as Verstappen’s stunning qualifying performance showed Red Bull’s power.
But they need consistent performances with minimal issues going forward to try and hold on to the four-time world champion.
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