Struggling significantly in Shanghai, Max Verstappen could do no better than eighth in qualifying. The world champion describes a Red Bull that is almost impossible to drive.
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Max Verstappen experienced a particularly difficult qualifying session at the Chinese Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing driver only managed to secure eighth place on the grid, finishing more than a second off the pole position set by Kimi Antonelli.
For the four-time world champion, this performance reflects the problems encountered throughout the weekend at the Shanghai circuit. Already struggling during the sprint held a few hours earlier, Verstappen never seemed able to fight with the leading teams.
The short race had also started chaotically for the Dutchman, who made a poor start that saw him drop down the order. Despite a partial recovery, he had finished in ninth position after a race marked by several car handling issues.
A car difficult to control
The difficulties encountered by Verstappen are not limited to a simple question of pace. According to the Dutch driver, the main problem comes from the unpredictable behavior of his car.
During the sprint, he was even seen off the track while battling with his teammate Isack Hadjar, further proof of the difficulties in controlling the car.
“All weekend, we have been struggling. The car is completely impossible to drive, Verstappen explained after the session. I can’t even have a reference point. Every lap is a matter of survival. I can’t attack because the car doesn’t allow me to.”
Ineffective changes at Red Bull
After the sprint, Red Bull engineers took advantage of the lifting of parc fermé conditions to make numerous adjustments to the car in the hope of improving its behavior. Unfortunately for Verstappen, these modifications did not solve the problems.
“We changed a lot of things on the car, but it makes no difference. I don’t feel like I’m in control of the car. It’s really not how it should be.”
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Verstappen goes even further, explaining that this discomfort dates back to the start of the new technical regulations: “Since the first lap with these new regulations, I haven’t enjoyed this car.”
Oversteer and understeer: an unmanageable cocktail
Asked about the precise origin of his difficulties, Verstappen mentions a global handling problem with the car. The car reportedly suffers from both oversteer and understeer, a combination that is particularly difficult to correct.
This type of imbalance prevents the driver from finding a stable rhythm and attacking with confidence, especially on a demanding track like Shanghai. Under these conditions, Verstappen does not hide his pessimism for Sunday’s race.
Even if Red Bull hopes to progress on other circuits, Verstappen believes the team risks staying behind the leaders if no major developments are made to the car.
“I hope that on other circuits we can be a bit closer, but if nothing changes on the car, we will probably remain the fourth team.”
As for the Chinese Grand Prix, the Dutchman is hardly enthusiastic: “Where I am on the grid, it probably won’t be a very fun race.”
An unusually bleak assessment for Verstappen, who has been used to playing a leading role in recent seasons.
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