Formula 1 News: Verstappen Reveals Red Bull’s Degradation Struggles in Spanish Grand Prix
In a candid assessment of Red Bull’s performance at the Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has admitted that the team no longer holds an advantage over its Formula 1 rivals when it comes to degradation at the end of stints.
Despite returning to form on a traditional circuit in Barcelona, Verstappen was fortunate to secure victory, with Lando Norris pushing him hard throughout the race. The Dutchman managed to pass George Russell on Lap 3 and opened up a nine-second gap, which ultimately proved insurmountable for Norris.
Reflecting on the race, Verstappen emphasized that Red Bull struggled to maintain optimum pace due to tyre degradation towards the end of every stint. “I think as a whole package performance, we had a good race,” he said. “We really tried to maximise everything, but I do think that we’re struggling a bit for the optimum pace, lacking a bit of tyre deg towards the end of every stint.”
Verstappen reiterated his earlier statements, suggesting that McLaren has introduced more impactful upgrades than Red Bull this season. He called on his team to regain the impetus, acknowledging that McLaren’s recent pace has made them a strong contender.
The three-time Formula 1 champion also dispelled the notion that Red Bull tends to dominate in Spain, citing Ferrari’s pace in 2022 and Mercedes’ competitiveness last year. “I always knew that it was going to be very close, and McLaren is just doing a really, really good job,” he said.
Verstappen stressed that Red Bull must focus on unlocking more performance to stay ahead of its rivals. “It’s up to us to try and find a bit more, try to get that little jump ahead again,” he added. “Because I think clearly today we just lacked a bit of that outright pace.”
Moreover, Verstappen revealed that Red Bull’s previous strength of being faster than its competitors once degradation became a factor in races has now been dispelled. “Also, just when we had to push, we just couldn’t look after the tyres like Lando, for example, could,” he said.
With Mercedes continuing to make inroads, Verstappen emphasized the need for Red Bull to focus on its own competitiveness rather than its rivals’ progress. “The only thing that I can control is within our team, what we are going to bring,” he said. “And that’s what I’m focused on.”
In the midst of a highly competitive Formula 1 season, Verstappen’s candid assessment serves as a reminder that Red Bull must adapt to stay at the top. With the Formula 1 calendar moving on to the next race, Red Bull will be looking to bounce back and regain their dominance.
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