The Dutch GP was excited to host the home hero. The RBR starlet had a fantastic outing last year at Zandvoort, so fans expected a similar result when the F1 returned after the summer break. However, Lando Norris spoiled the party for the Orange army, defeating Verstappen with a 22-second lead.
This massive gap between the top racers highlights RBR’s technical woes. The Milton Keynes-based outfit has been struggling to fix these issues, resulting in a string of defeats. Therefore, the triple champion shared his thoughts on the current situation during the post-race interview.
Verstappen Urges Red Bull To Fix A MAJOR Issue To Improve Car’s Balance
Red Bull’s dominant campaign began to falter in May when the team encountered challenges on bumpier circuits, with the Monaco Grand Prix being particularly troublesome. What initially seemed like a singular issue with bumps and kerbs has since revealed deeper problems affecting the overall balance of the RB20, which was previously one of its strengths. These issues have not only slowed the car down but also led to increased tire degradation. Max Verstappen, who finished 22 seconds behind Lando Norris at Zandvoort, expressed his concerns about the car’s performance. He noted that the RB20, which had been easy to drive in the early races, has recently become more difficult to handle. This decline in performance has negatively impacted both the car’s one-lap speed and its long-run capabilities.
Throughout the Zandvoort weekend, the Dutchman experienced consistent limitations with the car, struggling with an unbalanced setup from the first practice session to the race itself. The car’s inability to maintain a connected balance, whether at the front or rear, has raised concerns within the team. Further, the RBR starlet highlighted the car’s unexpected loss of pace and increased tire wear, which he found unusual given Red Bull’s historical strength in these areas.
During the race, Verstappen briefly led after overtaking Norris at the start. However, as the race progressed, he felt the car becoming less responsive to his inputs, ultimately allowing Norris to pass him on lap 18 and secure a dominant victory. Thus, he then focused on maintaining his position, finishing the race in second place despite the car’s handling issues. The team now faces the urgent task of identifying and addressing these problems to regain their competitive edge.
Red Bull Starlet Downplays Technical Issues As ‘Just a Bad Weekend,’ No Panic In The Camp
The Dutchman acknowledged that it was a challenging weekend. He noted that the last few races have not been particularly impressive, which has been a cause for concern. However, Verstappen emphasized that there’s no need to panic. The team focuses on improving their situation and working hard to progress. He also pointed out the complexities of Formula 1, highlighting the challenges they face in finding solutions.
