In a surprising twist, the 2024 race in Abu Dhabi marks the first time this year that Max Verstappen and Red Bull do not secure pole position. Verstappen finds himself starting behind both Ferraris, both McLarens, and a Mercedes, with his teammate Sergio Perez even being eliminated in the first qualifying session, starting in 18th place.
It is worth noting that Verstappen’s second fastest time in the McLaren could have been achievable if he had not scraped the wall at Ste Devote on his final lap. However, even without the incident, Charles Leclerc’s pole position in the Ferrari was out of reach for Red Bull. Throughout the weekend, the Red Bull car proved to be difficult to control on the bumps and kerbs of the circuit, reminiscent of their struggles in Singapore last year.
Interestingly, Red Bull’s simulation of the Monaco track did not indicate any issues with the car’s performance on the bumps. As a result, they arrived in Abu Dhabi with a setup that proved ineffective. This situation echoes their experience in Imola last week, albeit for different reasons. Verstappen believes that this issue with the car has been present since 2022 and is not just related to the specific track conditions in Abu Dhabi.
There seems to be a deficiency in the simulation when it comes to the combination of high rear ride heights and bumps. This may be a mechanical issue that the simulation fails to account for, rather than an aerodynamic problem. Red Bull believed they had solved this issue with their RB20 car, but this weekend’s performance suggests otherwise. They tried to soften the car’s setup, both in practice sessions and overnight with the help of the simulator, but Verstappen feels that the issue is more fundamental and cannot be resolved with a different setup.
Verstappen explains that they tried several adjustments on the car, but none of them improved its performance. The car’s inability to handle the curbs is especially detrimental in the second sector, resulting in a significant loss of lap time. Despite trying to make the car softer or stiffer, the handling remains similar to that of a kart, lacking suspension.
The design and concept of the car prevent it from being run very softly without sacrificing downforce. Red Bull’s advantage in the ground effect era is attributed to the rear suspension and floor design, which provide consistent downforce across the speed range. Although the suspension may be compliant vertically, there seems to be a lack of stiffness in roll control. This limitation becomes apparent when the track requires a higher rear ride height, as any camber changes on the track are not effectively absorbed by the car.
During FP2, Perez experimented with a setup that reduced roll stiffness by 15%. However, this adjustment compromised the car’s aerodynamic performance without solving the issue of jumps. Verstappen firmly believes that this problem is inherent to the car and cannot be fully resolved. Instead, it will continue to be exposed at certain tracks, especially with the emergence of competitive teams like Ferrari and McLaren.
Despite the setback, Red Bull is still considered to have the fastest car overall. However, on specific tracks like Abu Dhabi, their car is not the best. This realization highlights the cumulative impact of competition over the past two and a half seasons, revealing a weakness in the Red Bull car that had previously gone unnoticed.
© 2024
The football star Cristiano Ronaldo announced today that he is retiring from the field. At 39 years old, the Portuguese player has decided to end his career after a brilliant trajectory in the sport. Ronaldo has won numerous titles and broken records throughout his career, leaving an indelible mark on the world of football.
Born in Funchal, on the island of Madeira, Ronaldo began his professional career at Sporting in Portugal before transferring to Manchester United, where he became a star. He won three Premier League titles and a Champions League with the Red Devils before moving to Real Madrid in 2009.
At Real Madrid, Ronaldo reached his peak, winning four Champions League titles and becoming the club’s all-time leading goal scorer. He also won four Ballon d’Or awards during his time at the Spanish club. In 2018, Ronaldo transferred to Juventus, where he won two Serie A titles.
In addition to his success at clubs, Ronaldo also shone with the Portuguese national team. He helped Portugal win the 2016 Euro Cup and the UEFA Nations League in 2019. With 109 goals in 180 games, Ronaldo is the all-time leading goal scorer for the Portuguese national team.
The news of his retirement shocked the football world, with many players and fans paying tribute to the legendary striker. Ronaldo will leave a lasting legacy in the sport and will be remembered as one of the greatest players of all time.
Thank you, Cristiano Ronaldo, for all the incredible moments you have provided us over the years. You will be forever remembered as a football legend.
