Red Bull Racing started the Grand Prix weekend in Azerbaijan strongly, but both drivers missed out finishing in the Top 3 in qualifying in Baku. Moreover, Max Verstappen was outqualified for the first time this year by teammate Sergio Perez on Saturday. The Dutchman looked back on his result following the session.
Verstappen balks at P6 in Baku
“I already knew after the first run in Q1 that it was going to be difficult. A few things had changed on the car and that made it very difficult. A lot of bouncing at the back, so every time entering and exiting the corner the car bounced really badly,” Verstappen explained to Viaplay.
“That just made it very difficult. Q2 then still went reasonably well in itself, but for me, in the car, it already just didn’t feel right. I couldn’t optimise in the middle of the corner. I also had a bit too much understeer, which you don’t want on a street circuit,” the Dutchman added.
“Q3 had to be better of course, but in that first run I obviously had that little mistake at the last corner. That’s where the car went the wrong way. In the run after that, I had a lot of bouncing again. And then if you’re not completely comfortable with that, you can’t attack,” continued Verstappen, who does have an idea what caused the problem.
“We adjusted some things and then of course you know where it comes from. It’s bummer. Of course you always try to make the best of it. It’s not that I then sit dejected in the car or anything, but I knew it was going to be difficult,” said Verstappen, who also has little faith in Red Bull’s race pace. “With the car now it doesn’t feel right of course, but we’re going to see,” he concluded at the capital of Azerbaijan.
