Verstappen: RB21 'Still Not Quick Enough' After Abu Dhabi GP Practice
Max Verstappen expressed concerns about the Red Bull RB21's pace after Friday practice in Abu Dhabi, stating it's "still not quick enough." Despite finishing P2 in both sessions, he acknowledged a need for more speed to close the gap to Lando Norris. The team is now focused on improving race pace, handling, and managing front-right tire graining ahead of Saturday's crucial qualifying session.
Max Verstappen has voiced his assessment after the initial practice sessions for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, noting that the RB21 is "still not quick enough" despite a generally satisfactory first day of running.
The Dutchman finished P2 in both Friday sessions, trailing Lando Norris. This puts Norris in a strong position for the title contention.
Why it matters:
Red Bull has consistently demonstrated its ability to maximize Friday efforts, often translating strong practice into dominant race performances. Verstappen's comments, however, suggest that the team is not yet at its optimal performance. This could signal a tighter battle for pole position and the race win, especially given the crucial championship implications.
The Details:
- Verstappen finished second in both FP1 and FP2, with Lando Norris setting the fastest lap in both sessions.
- He admitted that Red Bull needs to be "a little bit faster" and close a "decent gap" to the frontrunners.
- Focus on Race Pace: Verstappen highlighted the need to improve long-run performance and manage tire degradation.
- Ride Quality: He noted that the car's ride has been "tricky," indicating potential issues with handling over bumps or curbing.
- Tire Vulnerability: Race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase confirmed that front-right graining is a concern across the field, making tire longevity a critical factor for Sunday's race.
- Lambiase also suggested that higher-than-expected degradation might put a "question mark" over what was initially expected to be a straightforward one-stop strategy.
What's Next:
Both Verstappen and his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, remain optimistic about finding improvements overnight. Lambiase emphasized that the team is approaching the weekend with a "business as usual" mentality, focusing on their established processes to achieve the best possible result.
- Red Bull will be working intensively on data analysis to address the car's speed deficit and tire management issues before Saturday's qualifying session.
- The performance in qualifying will be crucial, as track position in Abu Dhabi is often key to race success, especially if multiple pit stops become necessary due to high degradation.
- The team's ability to fine-tune the RB21's setup and optimize tire strategy will determine their competitiveness against McLaren and other front-runners aiming to challenge for victory.