Verstappen Pinpoints One Flaw In His RB20 After Perfect Weekend In Bahrain

Tuesday, 05 March 2024 at 12:00

Max Verstappen identified RB20's one flaw that might complicate a few races for Red Bull later in the 2024 season.

Looking at the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix results, many fans will think we are in for another season of Red Bull's dominance. However, it doesn't necessarily have to be that way.

Bahrain International Circuit is one of the tracks that suits Red Bull the best because of the high-tire degradation. So firstly, we might expect other cars closer to the team from Milton Keynes on different tracks.

Secondly, Max Verstappen suggested in a post-race interview that his team is good in races but now struggles with the qualifying pace of their car, maybe too much.

“"I do think that we are just not that great on one-lap performance for whatever reason with the car. But luckily it's very good in the race for most tracks."”

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Generally, having a more suitable car for racing is always better. But it seems Red Bull should be able to extract a better qualifying pace for their car, the race pace advantage they have.

“"Naturally, of course, you focus a little bit more on the race, but yeah, it just seems like other teams can maybe extract a little bit more over one lap than us for whatever reason. So that's what we'll look at for the coming races."”

Ferrari, which lacked about four-tenths per lap on Verstappen during the race in Bahrain, almost beat him in qualifying. In fact, Charles Leclerc did score a better time than Verstappen, but it was in Q2, and he couldn't replicate it in Q3.

“"This weekend, of course, I think in the race, we're still very strong. But if you look at qualifying, I, of course, put it on pole. But the fastest lap was done in Q2 by Charles, you know."”

The triple World Champion also added that he expects other teams to be closer to Red Bull in race pace once we get to tracks with lower tire degradation.

“"So over one lap, I don't think it's that straightforward. And every track is different. So maybe we rock up in Jeddah and you have a different feeling. And naturally, on tracks with lower degradation, teams will be closer."”