In Monaco qualifying, Max Verstappen expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance of his Red Bull RB20.
After Max Verstappen revealed Red Bull’s Monaco issues require more than just a set-up fix, Jenson Button has warned the Dutchman that if it is “fundamental” issue, it will only get “worse” for the reigning champion.
Verstappen, who initially ranked outside the top ten in FP1 at the Monte Carlo street circuit, managed to secure fourth place in the second session on Friday. However, he still fell short by half a second compared to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who set the fastest time.
Jenson Button’s warning to Max Verstappen and Red Bull
He practically dismissed the possibility of Red Bull making a recovery.
Verstappen expressed his frustration, stating that these types of issues cannot be resolved through mere adjustments since they are inherent to the car’s manufacturing and design. He emphasized that such matters cannot be rectified in a short period, leaving them in a state of stagnancy.
“We’ll make an effort to improve it slightly, although I don’t anticipate any remarkable transformations.”
Verstappen enters the last practice and qualifying session of Saturday at a disadvantage, as he risks breaking the World Champion’s consecutive pole position record. Throughout the season, Verstappen has consistently secured the top spot in qualifying for every Grand Prix.
Button reckons if it is a “fundamental issue”, the situation could become even worse for Red Bull as their rivals find lap time and confidence.
Button told Sky F1 that although he is unaware of the specific issues, if the person in question is claiming so, he is usually reliable when it comes to telling the truth. He believes that this situation will pose a challenge for them.
However, as the weekend progresses, their situation is likely to deteriorate further.
Crunching the data after Friday’s practice in Monaco
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If individuals focus on enhancing their setup and building confidence, they will be able to progress faster. However, those who have underlying fundamental problems will struggle to make improvements.
“They have reached their current position and are unable to advance further as they must remain within the confines of the wall. Consequently, they find themselves in a challenging situation.”
“It brings a mix of excitement and keeps things interesting.”
Leclerc, the driver for Ferrari, enters Saturday’s session as the one to watch. He has been in control of nearly 60 percent of the lap and Ferrari has proven to be the fastest in all three sectors.
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