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Red Bull Struggles in FP2: Verstappen and Perez Urge Overnight Fix Ahead of Abu Dhabi Qualifying

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
December 6, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Red Bull Struggles in FP2: Verstappen and Perez Urge Overnight Fix Ahead of Abu Dhabi Qualifying

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 6, 2024 Red Bull's Max Verstappen during practice REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Red Bull endured a tough Friday at the Yas Marina Circuit, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez finishing 17th and 14th respectively in FP2. Both drivers pointed to handling and balance issues with the RB20, leaving the team scrambling for solutions ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.


Verstappen: Balance Issues Plague the RB20

Max Verstappen, already crowned the 2024 Drivers’ Champion, admitted that the RB20 felt “tricky” to drive during Friday’s sessions. Despite his recent victory at the Qatar GP, Verstappen struggled to find pace in Abu Dhabi, citing poor balance as the key issue.

“The balance of the car wasn’t very good today, which made it pretty tricky to drive,” Verstappen explained. “This is something that we need to work on overnight. We will be looking into what we can do to improve our form.”

While Verstappen’s championship win is secure, the Milton Keynes-based team’s hopes of clinching the Constructors’ title have already slipped away, making their end-of-season struggles even more frustrating.


Perez: Long-Run Promise, Short-Run Problems

Sergio Perez, who finished P14 in FP2, echoed Verstappen’s concerns about the RB20’s short-run pace. Though the car showed promise in long runs, its one-lap speed continues to lag behind expectations.

“We have been trying a lot of stuff out there, but it’s not been coming together just yet,” Perez said. “The car is not feeling tremendously bad—it’s just we are slower over one lap than we want to be.”

Perez, under immense pressure due to a lackluster season, knows his performance in Abu Dhabi could influence his future with Red Bull. The 34-year-old’s contract hangs in the balance as the team considers its options for 2025.


McLaren on Top, Red Bull Falling Behind

McLaren, led by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, dominated FP2 and appears to be the team to beat this weekend. With a 21-point lead in the Constructors’ Championship and the fastest car on track, McLaren is poised to secure its first title since 1998.

In contrast, Red Bull’s struggles mark a rare low point in a season otherwise dominated by Verstappen. The team now faces an uphill battle to turn things around before qualifying at the technical Yas Marina Circuit.


What’s Next for Red Bull?

With overnight adjustments critical, Red Bull must address the RB20’s balance and handling to salvage a competitive result in Abu Dhabi. While Verstappen’s championship win provides some cushion, the team’s current form raises questions about their ability to maintain dominance into 2025.

For Perez, the stakes are even higher. A strong performance in Abu Dhabi could bolster his case to remain on the grid, but another underwhelming weekend might seal his fate.


Key Takeaways

  • Verstappen’s Struggles: Poor balance in the RB20 left Verstappen off the pace in FP2, finishing 17th.
  • Perez’s Challenges: Despite decent long-run pace, Perez admitted the car’s one-lap speed is far from ideal.
  • McLaren Dominates: The Woking-based team looks set to end a 26-year Constructors’ Championship drought.
  • High Stakes for Perez: With his future uncertain, Perez faces pressure to deliver in the season finale.
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