In Monaco qualifying, Max Verstappen expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance of his Red Bull RB20.
Max Verstappen did not have many kind words for his Red Bull RB20 after qualifying P6 in Monaco, likening it to a “go-kart.”
As Sergio Perez gets ready to start in 18th place after one Red Bull falls in Q1, Verstappen was left to carry the team’s hopes into Q3. However, his chances were dashed when he hit the barrier at the first turn, preventing him from completing a final push lap and forcing him to settle for the 6th position on the grid.
Max Verstappen casts brutal Red Bull RB20 ‘go-kart’ verdict
Red Bull had low expectations for qualifying, and Verstappen expressed his disappointment with their performance. He compared the RB20 to a go-kart lacking suspension and dampers, which hindered his ability to utilize the kerbs effectively.
In an interview with Sky F1 following qualifying, Verstappen expressed his dissatisfaction not with the position but rather with the team’s performance.
“I wasn’t surprised by this outcome as I was already aware of our limitations before this weekend.”
“It has been a challenging experience. I am unable to navigate the kerbs in the middle sector and have been maneuvering around them. It truly feels as though I am driving a go-kart without any suspension or dampers. Consequently, it has been extremely tough for us.”
“I found great comfort in maneuvering through the high-speed corners, which was truly enjoyable. However, we are encountering significant losses in the low-speed sections.”
Certainly, while there may be some areas where you can make progress, the significant downside lies in the numerous instances of poor performance at low speeds, where the car tends to become unstable and bumpy.
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Verstappen expects a challenging grand prix as Monaco, renowned for its tight and twisty track, is often regarded as the most crucial qualifying session of the season. Overtaking becomes extremely difficult on race day in this circuit.
However, when considering tracks other than Monaco, Verstappen expresses worry about their vulnerability to bumps and kerbs, which could be highlighted once more.
Verstappen confirmed that Red Bull’s problems are indeed track specific, but added that there are several upcoming tracks with bumps and kerbs that pose a limitation for their team.
“However, when considering the upcoming race, there is limited scope for action if it turns out to be a simple and uncomplicated affair. The cars are excessively broad and substantial, making overtaking extremely difficult. Nonetheless, our aim is to persevere and remain competitive.”
“We lack a speedy car, and we didn’t qualify exceptionally well either, so we don’t have any pace advantage that we could rely on. However, let’s wait and see how things unfold.”
Verstappen secured two out of the three Monaco GP wins for Red Bull in 2021 and 2023, contributing to their overall success in the prestigious race.
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