Wouter wrote: ↑22 Aug 2024, 20:59
Translated from the Dutch Telegraaf. Subscription needed.
https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/17234285 ... -zandvoort
Red Bull and Max Verstappen continue searching, Friday important 'test day' with modified car in Zandvoort
Before the summer break it was already clear that behind the scenes at Red Bull they are working hard to make the RB20 a bit more 'predictable' again. "Everyone is busy with that. Hopefully we will get some answers this weekend", says Verstappen, who in addition to his media obligations on Thursday in Zandvoort was mainly busy with an event for sponsor Heineken and recordings for the international branch of ESPN with PSV'er Sergiño Dest.
When asked, Verstappen tries to explain where the problems he is talking about lie. It is known that he looks much further than just the World Cup standings. Because he is very triumphantly in the lead, his lead over Lando Norris is no less than 78 points.
"If a car doesn't feel right and you don't have the right balance, you can't attack the corners properly. And to get the most out of a lap, everything has to be right. I don't think we've had the fastest car for six or seven races now. But I actually did pull ahead in the standings during that period, which is positive. And I also know that everything behind me has to go perfectly to close that gap. On the other hand, I can also drop out and then the gap can become a lot smaller. It remains a mechanical sport."
It is interesting that Verstappen was even more satisfied with his current car at the start of the season than the RB19 in which he drove to 21 victories last year. So something must have gone wrong somewhere. At Red Bull, they are trying to get to the bottom of that, in consultation with Verstappen among others. In the past period – apart from the mandatory two-week closure of the factory during the summer break – certain parts have been remanufactured and some adjustments have been made here and there. Verstappen will try out as much as possible 'on' his car during the training sessions on Friday, if the possible rain and strong wind allow it, to see what works.
"I have always said that I always liked the car at the beginning of this year, the balance too, and that we have therefore continued to develop well," says the Limburger. "After that we took a certain turn and it all became a bit more difficult. I don't want to say that the car is slower, but it is more difficult to drive. On some circuits you prefer a slightly slower car, which is more predictable, to be able to go to the maximum. Yes, normally also here in Zandvoort."
Have mistakes been made? Have the upgrades of the past months been downgrades? Verstappen thinks that is too easy. "You could say that it became more difficult for us after the fourth race in China. But since then, a lot of positive, well-functioning parts have been added to the car. But that may have also revealed things that we didn't expect. When new parts are added to a car, you always get a slightly different balance. It is now up to us to analyse that and see if there is something that doesn't work somewhere in those upgrades."
Verstappen can't say too much in detail in public, of course, but it is clear that various modified things will be tried out on Friday to see if that can give him a push in the right direction. And not just him, but especially his struggling teammate Sergio Pérez.
Verstappen: "Checo was always in a good position at the start of the season. The car was easier to drive then. I also told the team that if the car is a bit easier to control, it will also help him. So then it's plus-plus."
Much more exciting than someone cruising at 90% in a car that's dominant!
