Verstappen Claims 'Cut a Corner' Needed to Match McLaren Pace in Qatar
Max Verstappen suggests he'd have to 'cut a corner' to match Oscar Piastri's pace in Qatar, expressing concern over his Red Bull's ability to challenge the McLarens. Starting third behind Piastri and Norris, Verstappen's championship hopes against championship leader Norris hinge on outperforming him, as any points loss would end his title bid. He anticipates a tough race given McLaren's superior pace and limited overtaking opportunities.
Max Verstappen believes he would need to "cut a corner" to match Oscar Piastri's pace, particularly as displayed in the closing stages of the Qatar Grand Prix sprint. Starting third for the main race behind both McLarens, Verstappen is concerned his Red Bull RB21 won't be able to challenge the papaya pair, especially with Lando Norris, currently leading the F1 drivers' championship, lining up second. Verstappen's championship hopes hinge on outperforming Norris, with the Dutchman 25 points adrift. Any further loss of points will end his bid for a fifth consecutive title.
Why it matters:
Red Bull's perceived struggle against McLaren in Qatar is a significant development, especially given Verstappen's championship aspirations. A dominant McLaren in the final races could reshuffle the constructor and driver standings, making every point critical. Verstappen's acknowledgment of a pace deficit, even if exaggerated, highlights a real challenge for Red Bull in adapting to the Lusail International Circuit's demands and Pirelli's strict tire mandates.
The Details:
- Championship Stakes: Verstappen needs to prevent Norris from extending his lead by even a single point to keep his championship hopes alive for Abu Dhabi.
- McLaren's Dominance: The MCL39 has shown superior pace in Qatar, with Piastri on pole and Norris starting second.
- Red Bull's Struggle: Verstappen described needing to "wrangle more" from his RB21, indicating a lack of inherent pace compared to McLaren.
- Tire Management: Pirelli's mandate of a 25-lap maximum stint due to tire concerns ensures at least two pit stops, forcing teams to manage tire degradation over 57 laps. This presents a challenge for Red Bull, which seemed to struggle more with tire wear during the sprint.
- Overtaking Difficulty: The fast and flowing nature of the Lusail track means overtaking opportunities will be limited, making the first corner crucial for Verstappen.
- Verstappen's Assessment: He believes that to match Piastri's pace from the sprint's final laps, he'd have to "cut a corner," implying an impossible task within the rules.
What's next:
The main race in Qatar will be a crucial test for both Verstappen and Red Bull. His best chance to make up ground will be at the start, particularly into Turn 1. If he fails to pass Norris early, opportunities later in the race will be scarce given the track's characteristics and the tire management challenges. A long race, however, always leaves room for unexpected events. Red Bull will need to extract every ounce of performance from the RB21 and optimize strategy to counter McLaren's strong form and keep Verstappen's championship bid alive.