Max Verstappen, the Dutch driver for Red Bull Racing, expressed his belief that the team’s struggles in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix exposed their weakness in dealing with the kerbs. Verstappen had acknowledged before the race that the unique characteristics of the Monte Carlo circuit would leave Red Bull more vulnerable. Despite a challenging practice session, Verstappen showed promise in the early stages of qualifying and was considered a strong contender for pole position. However, a brush with the barrier at Turn 1 disrupted his final attempt, resulting in a sixth place overall. Verstappen acknowledged the difficulties of controlling the car on the bumpy track and recognized that some drivers may not have executed their laps perfectly. He also praised his teammate, Sergio Perez, for his performance on street circuits, indicating that his presence in a similar position was a testament to his skill. Verstappen concluded that he was not disappointed with his sixth place considering the circumstances.
Verstappen revealed that he was exploring various options regarding the setup of his RB20 throughout the weekend, but unfortunately, none of them proved successful as the kerbs continued to destabilize his car.
“Yes, we tried several changes to the vehicle, but none of them improved the situation. So basically, we were stuck,” he explained. “There wasn’t much we could do.
“We made a concentrated effort to optimize the car, but in the second sector, our performance was severely affected.
“Due to the excessive impact of the kerbs, I had to completely avoid them, resulting in a significant loss of lap time. This made things incredibly difficult.
“I tried to soften the suspension, we tried soft and stiff settings, but the car felt like a kart. It was as if I was driving without suspension,” he continued.
“The car was bouncing excessively, unable to absorb the impact of the kerbs, bumps or changes in elevation. In fact, there were several occasions where I almost collided with the wall on the last corner.”
Verstappen argued that Red Bull has been dealing with this issue throughout the current regulation period, but their overall superiority managed to mask the problem.
However, with Ferrari and McLaren reducing the gap to the Austrian team this season, the three-time champion acknowledged that Red Bull’s major weakness has now been exposed.
“This is not a new problem. We have been facing it since 2022,” he explained.
“Previously, our advantage in the car compensated somewhat, especially in corners where limitations were imposed by the kerbs and bumps.
“But now that everyone is getting closer, if we can’t improve our weakest point, it becomes evident, and that’s exactly what happened this weekend.”
When asked about his prospects for tomorrow’s race, Verstappen, winner of two races in Monaco, replied: “I have no idea! I am giving my best.
“Yes, the car is extremely difficult to drive. For example, when I entered Turn 1, I suddenly hit the kerbs and the car got away from me.
“There was no specific mistake on my part, but the car is incredibly delicate to handle. That’s just how things are.”
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Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton secured an impressive victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix this Sunday. Hamilton, who started in pole position, dominated the race from start to finish, crossing the finish line in first place. With this win, the Mercedes driver extended his lead in the world championship and is getting closer to his eighth title.
The race was marked by many incidents and thrilling overtakes. In the first lap, there was a crash involving two cars, leading to the safety car coming out. Hamilton took advantage of the opportunity to build a comfortable lead over his competitors and control the race.
Despite strong pressure from the Red Bull drivers, Hamilton managed to stay ahead and made no mistakes. His skill and experience were crucial in securing the victory. Max Verstappen, from Red Bull, finished in second place, followed by Sergio Perez, also from Red Bull.
With this win, Hamilton now has a 30-point advantage over Verstappen in the world championship. With only two races remaining, the Mercedes driver is getting closer to becoming the greatest champion in Formula 1 history.
The next race will be the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, taking place next weekend. Hamilton is confident and determined to secure another victory and the title. It will be an exciting competition and Formula 1 fans cannot miss it!
Stay tuned for more updates and news about Formula 1 here on our website. Don’t miss any moment of this thrilling season!
