Max Verstappen is convinced that Red Bull can cure its long-standing kerb-riding weakness without compromising on the aerodynamic strengths of its Formula 1 car.
Red Bull’s once impenetrable status using ground effect cars has been threatened in recent races as it has emerged the RB20 has issues absorbing bumps and kerbs.
Although it proved to be less problematic in Canada as Verstappen picked up another win, the Dutchman reiterated that the problem was capping Red Bull’s potential.
However, Verstappen is adamant in his credence that the Austrian team can introduce a solution to the persistent drawback whilst retaining its inherent aero prowess.
“I really think that we can solve this without influencing any other part of the car,” Verstappen said.
“Today, it’s more like, what kerb riding, because I felt that was non-existent in the race [with the rain].
“We know that this is a weakness and I also know that we are flat out working on it to try and fix it, because I really feel like it’s quite a big performance limitation for us at the moment.
“Then, of course, naturally, I’m also looking forward to some tracks maybe where we don’t really need to take too many kerbs or too many bumps.”
Meanwhile, Red Bull boss Christian Horner concurred with Verstappen post-race and believes that the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve showed improvements from Monaco.
Horner cited how Verstappen wasn’t losing out to his rivals through the last chicane at the end of the lap last weekend, where riding the kerbs is essential to lap time.
“All of it has to work in tandem, so you are pushing the aerodynamic platform of the car, but you want the car to ride kerbs,” he explained.
“What was encouraging was that our sector three this weekend was competitive, even with the stiffness of the car rattling over that last chicane.
“If you look throughout the running. we were very competitive there. So, despite it being uncomfortable, we were still able to be quick enough.
“I think there is genuine performance there so if we can unlock that, then we will see it free up lap time.”
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