Max Verstappen has entered the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix weekend with a stark admission that his Red Bull machine carries a significant handicap that the Madring circuit could expose.
The hybrid street circuit has been completed just in time for its debut hosting of Spain’s marquee race to go ahead, after a flurry of late work overcame some concerns earlier this year about whether it would be ready.
Notable elements to the circuit have already been discussed before wheels have been turned in anger on it, such as the high-banking ‘La Monumental’ corner.
The tight and twisty areas have also been the topic of conversation, having predominantly been the catalyst for a plethora of red flags during a recent shakedown test on the circuit by Formula 3 cars.
Red Bull’s RB22 has been a car in which Verstappen has continuously struggled to extract enough performance from to significantly challenge this year, the Dutchman so far yet to win a Grand Prix.
As well as a misalignment of performance in its Ford V6 hybrid power unit, there is also an apparent Achilles’ heel in its ability to ride bumps and corners with higher kerbs, something these potentially chaotic segments of the circuit possess.
And when put to him ahead of this weekend’s race, Verstappen admitted that it will be something for the Milton Keynes-based squad to manage.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s a known problem for us for a long time,” the four-time World Champion told media, including Motorsport Week. “So it’s something that we’re trying to figure out, trying to fix, trying to be better at.
“But we know that, yeah, kerbs, bumps is not the best thing for our car.”
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