Red Bull was the second-best team last time in Austria, and was expected to challenge Mercedes for top honors at the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend. But they just weren’t in the qualifying races, with Max Verstappen not knowing what was wrong.
The Dutchman finished seventh fastest, 0.647s adrift of pole winner Lewis Hamilton at the Hungaroring, while teammate Alexander Albon was unable to make it to Q3 after errors on his first lap and traffic in his second race.
READ MORE: Hamilton Electric beats Bottas on pole in the Hungarian Grand Prix
It came after they were disappointed in their Friday practice, and drivers admitted they had a lot of work to do with their unpredictable car. And even though the team broke the curfew on Friday night to make configuration changes, they were both struggling with balance in qualifying.
“Clearly, something is not working,” said Verstappen. “The whole week has been very difficult and it is difficult to understand. We tried a lot of things but it still doesn’t work, so yes of course a disappointing rating. “
He added: “We just don’t have a good balance and we are not having much top speed either. Everything together only makes it slow.
You push it [the car] to the limit, but when you get to that limit it becomes a bit tricky and easy to lose the backside or oversteer
Max Verstappen
“If we had understood [the problem] We would have improved it, so something is clearly wrong. We are still investigating it. I don’t think it’s related to settings. “
The car has seemed difficult to drive from winter testing onward, with Verstappen turning several times, including in this morning’s practice session.
“You push it [the car] up to the limit, but when you get to that limit it becomes a bit tricky and easy to lose the rear or understeer completely, “he explained.
Looking to the race, Verstappen predicts a difficult afternoon, especially since it is traditionally difficult to overtake at the Hungaroring, while starting on less durable soft tires, while Mercedes and both Racing Points will be able to run longer in the media, just like those outside. out of the top 10 that will go for the most durable compound.
“We just have to see what we can do,” said Verstappen. “It will be close, I think. Of course, I’m starting with softs and some behind me will be mediums. It will be quite interesting what we can do in strategy ”.
Hungary’s rating: “I told you, don’t put me in traffic!” – Alex Albon
Meanwhile, Verstappen hit back at George Russell after the Williams driver spoke up in defense of his friend and rival, and Verstappen Red Bull teammate Alex Albon, who was knocked out in Q3 and rated a humble 13th after a difficult session.
“I feel really bad for him because they make him look like an idiot and he absolutely isn’t,” Russell said. “He has won in everything he has done, so I do not know what is happening, but they need to solve it.” for him.”
But Verstappen insisted that Russell should focus on his own performances, rather than worrying about what Red Bull is doing.
“George doesn’t know anything about the team, so I think he better focus on his team instead of talking about someone else,” he said.
READ MORE: Russell ‘pissed’ at missing Q3 as Williams records best rating since 2018
