Max Verstappen has expressed his frustrations at Red Bull after qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he punched his steering wheel in anger.
The Dutchman started the season where he left off last year as he set the benchmark with others struggling to compete.
He took pole in the first seven races of the season, but his grip at the top of the F1 standings has loosened in recent months.
McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari have closed the gap to Red Bull with Verstappen not winning in two races.
Max Verstappen was not happy after qualifying
REUTERS
Red Bull brought some big upgrades to Hungary in the hope of moving back ahead of their rivals.
But it was McLaren who set the pace in qualifying with Verstappen unable to match either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen was seen punching his steering wheel in frustration after his final hot lap in Q3.
And the three-time world champion admitted he has been annoyed at Red Bull falling behind from where they were at the start of the year.
“I’m frustrated,” he said.
“We are not fast enough and it’s been for a while like that.
“This weekend we brought quite a few upgrades to the car and its still not fast enough.
“If I’m not showing emotion anymore then I don’t care about myself and what I’m doing.
Max Verstappen couldn’t match the McLarens
REUTERS
“But I do care a lot. It’s just frustrating. I tried everything I could to get pole. I know it’s very important around here.”
He added: “Of course, I love competition but I would love to be on top of the competition.
“At the moment I feel like we are chasing and have a few more difficult weekends.
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Max Verstappen will hope to have better pace in Sunday’s race
REUTERS
“I don’t back out of a fight, but just a tricky situation I guess.”
Verstappen will start behind both McLaren drivers with Carlos Sainz alongside him on the second row.