Easier set-up work, but only fourth power again? What Red Bull driver Max Verstappen expects for the Formula 1 weekend in Azerbaijan 2024
Does Red Bull suddenly only have the fourth-fastest car in the 2024 Formula 1 field? At least that’s what the data from the last Grand Prix in Monza would suggest, but the RB20 is likely to be a little easier to set up on the Baku City Circuit. In previous races, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez had major problems with the balance of the car, but as there is only one type of corner in Azerbaijan, the 90-degree corner, the set-up work should be a little easier
When asked if Red Bull will still only be fourth on the grid this weekend, Verstappen says: “I’m not worried. We’re just trying to be better than what we delivered at Monza. Every single weekend it’s never really been the same between the four teams, so let’s see how it goes here.”
After the performance in Italy, Verstappen described both world championship titles as “unrealistic”. While the tree is already burning in the team standings, as McLaren have made up 79 points in the last five Grands Prix and are now only eight points behind Red Bull, things are a little more relaxed in the drivers’ standings. 62 points separate Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, but the Briton is catching up faster and faster
Data: Has Red Bull lost seven tenths in the development race?
“I would just like us to be a bit more competitive,” says Verstappen when asked about his statement from two weeks ago. “That’s all and that’s what we’re working on. But when you have a performance like Monza, it’s not realistic, so we definitely need to be better than what we’ve delivered recently.” After all, the RB20 was still the dominant car at the start of the season.
According to data from our technology partner PACETEQ, Red Bull’s average race pace advantage in the first five races was 0.24 seconds per lap over Ferrari and 0.3 seconds per lap over McLaren. Verstappen was not actually able to contest the Australian Grand Prix, which is why the figures are probably too low. At the start of the season, the RB20’s advantage was probably around four tenths per lap
The picture now looks different. In the last five races from Great Britain to Italy, McLaren had the fastest car on average in race trim with an average lead of 0.15 seconds over Mercedes, with Red Bull missing an average of 0.26 seconds per lap. Ferrari has a deficit of 0.32 seconds per lap. In the relative balance of power, Red Bull could therefore have lost around seven tenths over the course of the season
Does the long break after Singapore help?
One theory put forward by team-mate Sergio Perez is that the balance of the RB20 left something to be desired at the start of the season, but Verstappen is only now having problems with it. But he doesn’t want to know anything about it: “I’ve always complained about the balance of the car,” says the Dutchman. “So it’s nothing new for me either. But it’s something that has perhaps crept in over a long period of time.”
The long break between the races in Singapore and Austin should be a trump card for Red Bull as the season progresses, giving the team time to thoroughly analyze the problems and turn things around with new parts at the end of the season. Before that, however, there are two races on street circuits, which should suit the competition better, although Red Bull itself should perform better than in Monza
“We still have a lot of work to do, but I think Monza is positive in a way to learn more about the car, basically,” said Verstappen. “Now we just need time to improve the car and understand our weaknesses, which I think we managed to do. Now it’s about finding solutions to that. But it’s not going to happen within a week or two if you understand your problems. “
Favorites check for Baku and Singapore: Red Bull only 4th power?
For Baku, Ferrari should be one of the favorites to win the race. The Scuderia usually has an easy time on circuits with long straights, slow corners and higher kerbs. In addition, Charles Leclerc has always been on pole position in the last three Grands Prix in Azerbaijan.
Mercedes are also considered to have a good chance, while the slow corners have always been McLaren’s Achilles’ heel in recent years, but they seem to have solved the problem with this season’s updates. And the slow corners and high kerbs will also be an issue at the upcoming race in Singapore, which is not normally in Red Bull’s favor.
However, Verstappen does not want to be distracted by these prospects: “[Baku] is a completely different track. So you certainly have other restrictions, but we’ll see over the course of the weekend. “
