Max Verstappen received a black and white flag for repeatedly exceeding track limits during the Emilia-Romagna GP. Verstappen, along with Red Bull, made an incredible recovery in the race after a disappointing performance in free practice. The Dutch driver secured pole position and equaled the world record for consecutive poles in F1. As a result, Verstappen was expected to have a smooth race at the Italian circuit. However, he expressed his frustration with the issues he was facing through the team radio.
Initially, Verstappen raised concerns about balance and grip issues during Friday’s race sessions. The RB20 car was upgraded before qualifying, which helped Verstappen secure pole position. However, during the race, he received a black and white flag for repeatedly breaking the rules. Verstappen is struggling with understeer and grip issues around the circuit.
When Verstappen was informed about the black and white flag, he did not hold back in expressing his resentment. The current world champion criticized the condition of the car and tires, describing them as “f**ked”. The medium compounds were particularly challenging to drive after several laps. Consequently, the 26-year-old driver questioned the team about their decision to stay on track despite the ongoing problems.
Fans at the Imola circuit did not expect such a dominant performance from Max Verstappen and Red Bull after their difficulties on Friday. Verstappen revealed that he entered qualifying believing that even a position in the top five would be enough. This is due to the difficulties faced by the Austrian team throughout the weekend.
However, during the session, Verstappen felt great and more comfortable. He emphasized his ability to attack the corners and put together successful laps. The Dutch driver mentioned that he was pushing the challenging RB20 to the limit, especially in the final corner.
As a result, Max Verstappen is comfortably leading the Emilia-Romagna GP, without facing much competition. The 26-year-old driver will likely deliver another dominant performance and secure the victory over the weekend. McLaren is closely monitoring the Red Bull’s performance and may pose a tough challenge during the race.
