Photo credit: www.motorsport.com
Max Verstappen Expresses Concern Over Red Bull’s Performance in Formula 1
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing has expressed apprehension about his team’s competitive standing in Formula 1, noting that they may have dropped to fourth place in the hierarchy following disappointing results in both the sprint race and qualifying session in China.
During the 19-lap sprint race on Saturday morning, Verstappen started alongside Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari on the front row, but struggled to maintain pace. As the race progressed, he found it difficult to fend off McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, largely due to significant front tire degradation.
In the subsequent qualifying rounds, Verstappen managed to mitigate some of the potential damage but ultimately secured only a fourth-place starting position for the main event on Sunday. His teammate, Liam Lawson, faced a particularly challenging situation, qualifying last on the grid.
Verstappen clocked a time just 0.176 seconds shy of polesitter Piastri, with George Russell from Mercedes and Lando Norris from McLaren also finishing ahead of him in the tight qualifying contest. Nevertheless, Verstappen’s concern is palpable, as he observes that Red Bull seems to be lagging behind both McLaren and other teams such as Ferrari and Mercedes.
When asked about his assessment of Red Bull’s current standing, Verstappen candidly remarked, “That’s what it feels like for me at the moment.” He conveyed a sense of frustration, stating, “I’ve been feeling really good and relaxed in the car, also in qualifying. I’ve been able to maximise it, but it’s just too slow.”
The Dutch driver has noted a troubling shift in the balance of his car with each passing lap, and he remains particularly worried about the car’s tire management over a race distance. “Last year we also had a lot of tire degradation here on the fronts, but now it’s a bit more extreme,” he stated. “But it’s clear we’re just not in a very good position, especially compared to McLaren but also the other teams.”
When pressed on his chances for a podium finish, Verstappen seemed hesitant, replying, “I don’t even want to think about that right now. The Ferraris starting behind me also looked quicker in the sprint.” He acknowledged that although Red Bull’s tire degradation appeared to improve compared to their earlier practice session, it still fell short of what is needed to remain competitive throughout an entire race.
“If you’re talking about a full race distance, that means you’re dropping back quite far,” he emphasized. He also expressed that taking it easy during the race is not an option, as it would only result in losing positions. Despite changes made to the car leading into the qualifying session, Verstappen fears that the gap in performance is larger than what they experienced during the previous season.
Recent Developments from the Chinese Grand Prix – Sprint Race & Qualifying
As the teams prepare for the upcoming race, Verstappen’s insights underline a critical juncture for Red Bull Racing as they assess their competitive viability this season.
The situation remains fluid, with many eyes on how the team will adapt and respond in subsequent races. The championship standings may very well hinge on their ability to recover from this setback.
Source
www.motorsport.com