F1 News: Max Verstappen Raises Serious Las Vegas Concern As Red...

F1 News: Max Verstappen Raises Serious Las Vegas Concern As Red…read more.

Max Verstappen has expressed significant concerns regarding his performance during the Las Vegas Grand Prix practice sessions, especially after Red Bull Racing failed to bring the appropriate low-downforce rear wing for the street circuit. Despite his status as the championship leader, Verstappen struggled with grip on a track described as “slippery,” akin to “driving on ice.” He finished fifth in the first practice session but experienced a dramatic drop to 17th in the second session, highlighting the challenges faced by his team this weekend.

Lewis Hamilton dominated both practice sessions, showcasing the difficulties encountered by many drivers in securing traction. Verstappen noted that the conditions were particularly harsh, stating, “We struggled a lot with making the tyre work over one lap and especially on the long run.” Although he felt competitive at the start, he acknowledged the need for fine-tuning to improve their one-lap pace, which he admitted was considerably lacking.

Verstappen emphasized that the issues at hand appear to be tire-related rather than due to the balance of his RB20 car. He mentioned, “We need to understand what we are doing wrong, but it feels massively tyre-related as the balance of the car is not even wrong. It is just that we have no grip.” This statement underscores the crucial role that tire performance plays in achieving competitive lap times.

The Red Bull team faces immense pressure to secure Verstappen’s fourth consecutive F1 Drivers’ Championship this weekend. Currently holding a 62-point lead over Lando Norris, Verstappen must maintain at least a 60-point advantage after the Las Vegas Grand Prix to clinch the title. This adds to the urgency for the team to resolve their performance issues swiftly.

Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s senior advisor, confirmed that the team did not bring the optimal rear wing to Las Vegas, which has negatively impacted their straight-line speed, rendering both Red Bull cars approximately 7 kph slower than their competitors. Marko stated, “We don’t have another rear wing, a smaller rear wing, as we see it on our competitors. It would be more helpful, for sure.” This oversight has compounded the challenges faced by the team, leaving them with limited options for improving their performance during the race weekend.

Reflecting on their surprising performance in FP2, Marko explained that they did not opt for a soft tire on the short runs, which may have contributed to their lack of competitiveness. He noted that while some laps showed potential, the rear tires were quickly losing performance, which hindered their overall consistency.

The combination of difficult track conditions, tire issues, and the absence of an optimal rear wing has created a perfect storm for Red Bull Racing as they navigate the Las Vegas Grand Prix. With limited time to address these concerns, the team must quickly analyze and implement solutions to ensure Verstappen can maintain his championship lead. As the weekend progresses, all eyes will be on Red Bull to see if they can overcome these obstacles and secure the points needed for Verstappen to take another step closer to the title.

In summary, Verstappen’s struggles, coupled with Red Bull’s logistical oversight, have raised significant concerns heading into the race, making the Las Vegas Grand Prix a pivotal moment in the championship battle.