Red Bull Offers Reassurance on Verstappen's 'Broken' Car in Abu Dhabi FP1

Red Bull has confirmed that Max Verstappen's RB21 is 'okay' despite the Dutchman's complaints of a 'broken' car during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix's FP1 session. Team Principal Laurent Mekies stated initial concerns have been allayed, suggesting the issues were balance-related rather than mechanical.

Why it matters:

Max Verstappen's performance and confidence in his car are crucial, especially with the F1 drivers' championship on the line. Any hint of mechanical trouble could significantly impact Red Bull's strategy and Verstappen's ability to challenge for the title, making the team's reassurance a key development.

The details:

• During the opening practice session at Yas Marina Circuit, Verstappen expressed significant dissatisfaction over team radio, describing his car as 'broken' during a longer run.
• Despite his complaints, Verstappen was only eight milliseconds slower than Lando Norris, who topped FP1, indicating competitive raw pace.
• Team Principal's Statement: Laurent Mekies confirmed to Viaplay that 'everything is okay' and the team does not believe the car is 'actually broken'.
• Underlying Issue: Mekies explained the problem stemmed from the 'very, very tough track to get a good balance, especially when the tires are getting used'.
• In FP2, Verstappen finished second, three-and-a-half tenths behind the championship leader. He again reported issues, specifically with the car bouncing too much in Turn 3.
• Verstappen currently trails Norris by 12 points in the standings.

Between the lines:

Mekies highlighted that these 'gremlins' in the early sessions could be a 'net positive' for Verstappen. The team believes these balance issues are pointing towards potential improvements, rather than signifying a fundamental mechanical failure. This suggests Red Bull sees an opportunity to refine the car's setup, which could benefit Verstappen over the race weekend.

What's next:

Red Bull will focus on optimizing the car's balance and setup for the challenging Yas Marina Circuit. Resolving these balance issues will be critical for Verstappen to close the 12-point gap to Norris and mount a strong championship challenge in the remaining sessions and the race.