1 week Ago
Commenting on the RB21's handling in Bahrain, the Dutchman told Viaplay: "I can't say that (word) on TV. I couldn't brake, I couldn't steer, I had no traction and I have no balance." When pressed on the last time he felt so uncomfortable in an F1 car, he shot back: "Let me think—I think a few days ago.
" Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko pointed to telemetry data exposing a clear brake issue on Verstappen's car, distinct from teammate Yuki Tsunoda 's setup. One possibility is that Red Bull's switch from Hitco to Brembo brake materials over the winter is to blame. "So far we have no explanation for it," Marko admitted.
"First we need to find out the cause of the huge brake problem and then consult with the FIA to see if we can adjust, grind or replace the brake pads." Verstappen noted the brakes were especially troublesome in qualifying: "Every time I step on that pedal, it's like you're kicking a wall. But I've been suffering from that all weekend—or actually all year.
" Some speculate that, in the final year of the current rules, F1 cars have grown so fast and intricate that they're increasingly unpredictable. "Nobody knows what's going on anymore," Marko said. "(Lando) Norris has been at the front the whole time and suddenly he's sixth.
(Pierre) Gasly hasn't been anywhere for three races and he's fourth here. And we're faced with this puzzle with the brakes." Verstappen, however, doubts the brakes alone are at fault.
"We have tried everything on the car and nothing works, so that is not the problem," he said. "If I could do qualifying again, I would not know what we should change. We have already tried everything.
" Despite his Suzuka win narrowing the gap to McLaren 's Norris to one point, Verstappen dismissed his title hopes. "They (McLaren) are not my competitors at the moment," he said. "I am only participating in this championship.
If you look at the entire season, I don't think we really have a chance.".
