"I don’t think they're idiots" - Max Verstappen says Haas driver pair is 'doomed' if the team doesn't improve on its apparent weakness
Reigning three-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen recently said the Haas F1 duo of Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen are "doomed" for next season if the team does not fix its tyre management issues.
The 2023 season was a tumultuous affair for Haas F1. The team failed to secure more than a single point in the last 13 races, finishing the season at the bottom of the constructors' standings with a total of 12 points.
The American outfit's best outing was in Australia, where they secured six points courtesy of a seventh-place finish by Nico Hulkenberg.
Haas F1's struggles with tyre management were evident throughout the 2023 season. The inability to efficiently manage Pirelli rubber has haunted the American outfit in recent years.
Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, believes if the team fails to fix this issue, both drivers Magnussen and Hulkenberg are in for trouble. Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, the Dutchman said:
"You definitely need a car that takes good care of the tyres. Otherwise you’re doomed. You can see it at Haas. I don’t think Nico and Kevin are idiots. If the car overloads the tyres, there’s not much you can do.
He added:
"First of all, you need the foundation – and that’s the car. As a driver, you can find one or two tenths of a second per lap by paying more attention to the tyres."
Max Verstappen on whether he feels bored at the top
Max Verstappen has won three world titles in a row and dominated the grid for two straight seasons, leading some to claim that things might be getting monotonous for him. However, the Dutchman begs to differ.
Verstappen recently highlighted the constant challenges and fine-tuning involved in staying ahead, emphasizing that communication with the team remains crucial. He said:
"I don't feel bored. Even if you're way ahead, things always happen that you can't even see from the outside. You're always fine-tuning. Or find out new things. You constantly communicate with the team. So it's not boring."
The Red Bull ace added:
"Not if you're ahead. Maybe it gets a bit boring when you're stuck in sixth place and have a big gap at the front and back. But not if you are on the podium."
As the F1 world gears up for the 2024 season, Max Verstappen would be eyeing a fourth-straight world title, aiming to replicate Sebastian Vettel's feat with the Red Bull team in the early 2010s.