The Red Bull team is in slight misery, as it has failed to win a race in the last few weekends. The fans were so accustomed to the RBR drivers taking the top spot that this situation appeared unreal. Moreover, the RB20 is grappling with technical issues, as Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez were heard complaining. As a result, the team had a forgetful FP session and was severely off-pace.
However, the team made a solid comeback during the Saturday qualifying, as both its drivers finished in the top five. While Verstappen will start the Sundar race from P2, Perez will be at P5. Therefore, a former F1 racer feels RBR deliberately hides speed to outsmart its rivals.
“They Had Less Engine Power,” Ex-F1 Racer Decodes Why Red Bull Is Not Fully Utilizing The Power Unit
In a recent episode of De Telegraaf’s podcast, former F1 driver Christijan Albers shared his observations from free practice that suggested Max Verstappen might be in better shape than initially appeared. Albers noticed two key factors: Red Bull was using less engine power, a tactic they often employ, and they were not activating their DRS (Drag Reduction System). These choices, according to Albers, could significantly impact performance.
At Red Bull, it’s common practice not to fully unleash the Honda engine on the first day of a Grand Prix weekend. Typically, the team ramps up the engine power by Saturday, often leading to better performance. Albers pointed out that this approach differs from teams like Mercedes and McLaren, who tend to show their full speed earlier in the weekend.
The Dutchman explained that using more engine power early on allows teams to reach the car’s limit faster, providing more time to fine-tune the setup. Conversely, suppose a team waits until the final practice session (FP3) to push the car to its limits. In that case, they may have less time to optimize the setup, entering qualifying with less certainty about their performance. By pushing the limits earlier on Friday, teams can make more informed adjustments throughout the weekend.
McLaren CEO Advises Norris Not To ‘Overthink’
Zak Brown, McLaren’s CEO, shared his thoughts on how his driver should approach race situations, emphasizing the importance of a relaxed mindset. Brown advised against overthinking, suggesting that the key to success lies in trusting one’s natural talent. He explained that drivers like Lando Norris should focus on “going out and doing their thing” rather than dwelling too much on strategy or potential issues, as overanalyzing can create unnecessary problems. Moreover, the American executive acknowledged the competitive nature of Formula 1, particularly highlighting Max Verstappen’s aggressive style on the track. He expressed confidence in Norris, noting that while Verstappen is known for his tough racing, McLaren is ready to face the challenge.
Additionally, Brown praised Norris for his recent performances, pointing out that the young driver is often too hard on himself despite delivering excellent results. He mentioned that Norris tends to be critical of even the smallest mistakes. Still, judging by his positive demeanor after recent races, Brown believes Norris is in a good place mentally and is eager for the upcoming challenges.
