Max Verstappen has set a realistic yet modest target for Red Bull at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after a challenging opening day of practice left the reigning champions struggling far behind McLaren’s pace. With balance issues plaguing their RB20, Verstappen believes fighting for a top-six finish would mark a strong recovery for the team.
Red Bull’s Rough Start
Red Bull endured a difficult FP2 session at Yas Marina Circuit, with Verstappen finishing 17th and Sergio Perez in 14th. Both drivers were over a second slower than session leader Lando Norris of McLaren, signaling a significant performance gap to close ahead of the weekend.
“I’m sure we can do better,” Verstappen admitted. “I’m not saying we’ll be at McLaren’s level because they seem very quick this weekend. But if we can fight in that top six, I think that will be a good recovery.”
Balance Issues Holding Red Bull Back
Verstappen cited poor car balance as the primary issue hampering Red Bull’s performance.
“[There’s] just not a very good balance, to be honest. There’s no connected balance from entry to mid-corner, and that makes it difficult to push,” Verstappen explained. “That’s something we have to work on overnight.”
Perez More Optimistic About Race Pace
While Verstappen’s focus is on damage limitation, Perez found some solace in Red Bull’s long-run pace but acknowledged significant work is needed to improve their one-lap performance.
“Over one lap, it’s quite tricky,” Perez said. “We’ve been trying a lot of stuff out there, but it’s just not coming together at the moment.”
Perez noted that the RB20 feels markedly different in race trim compared to qualifying simulations. “The car feels very different when we go with fuel. That’s the biggest standout. The long run is very promising, but we need to make sure we’re competitive overall.”
A Rare Setback for Red Bull
Red Bull’s struggles come as a surprise in a season dominated by their RB20, raising questions about whether they can adapt in time for Sunday’s race. Both drivers stressed the importance of overnight adjustments to address the balance and one-lap speed deficits.
“The car is not feeling tremendously bad,” Perez said. “It’s just slow over one lap, so yeah, some work to do there.”
McLaren and Others in the Spotlight
With McLaren showcasing impressive pace and Ferrari aiming to claw back points in the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull finds itself on the back foot at a critical juncture. A strong Saturday showing will be essential to maintain their competitive edge as the 2024 Formula 1 season reaches its climax.
Key Takeaways
- Target Set: Verstappen believes a top-six finish would mark a satisfactory recovery given the team’s struggles.
- Balance Issues: Both drivers cite poor car balance as a major hindrance to performance.
- Long-Run Promise: Red Bull’s race pace offers a glimmer of hope, but their one-lap speed remains a concern.
- Competitors Surge: McLaren and Ferrari pose serious threats as Red Bull grapples with rare vulnerabilities.
