0
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has commended his driver Max Verstappen over his efforts in qualifying on Saturday. The Dutchman snatched a front row start, and will line up in second place alongside pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton.
Red Bull didn't appear to be as competitive as Mercedes and Ferrari throughout the weekend, but upped its pace in qualifying. Following the session, it was revealed that Verstappen was having some engine problems during qualifying despite his P2 finish.
"It was a fantastic lap, and unbelievable effort," Horner told Autosport. "To drive round the issues he had was truly impressive. It was a shame, I think without it we could have had a shot at the pole there, but to be starting on the front row feels like a pole position anyway.
"I think going into qualifying the engineers thought fifth and sixth was the likely outcome, so I think they've done a good job in getting the chassis tidied up," the Briton added.
Daniel Ricciardo had to settle for sixth place after he too suffered from engine issues. Red Bull fitted Renault's 'Spec C' engine to its car two weeks ago, but it is already giving the energy drink team pain.
"Unfortunately with the mapping he's just not getting the delivery of the power that he's requesting from the pedal, so it's very intermittent," Horner explained. "That's what's been having him over in terms of downshifts and on upshifts. So he's had to drive around that. Daniel's had that issue as well, but it's certainly affected Max more, or he's certainly been more vocal about it."
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
723,846 comments on Red Bull Racing
966 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Max Verstappen
601,300 comments on Mercedes 56 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (0)
Login to reply