Max Verstappen has grabbed just short of pole position in Imola on Saturday, but sees enough positive signals. The Red Bull Driver Felt Better Than In Any Session This Year, Although He Believes McLaren Remains Unreachable for the Time Being in the Race.
Verstappen Spoke to the Press in the paddock of the autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in a relaxed manner after the Qualification. Despite his second time – Only three hundredths of a second behind Oscar Piastri – the four -time world champion was positive about his car.
“The Car Felt Pretty Good From This Morning,” Said Verstappen. “The Reason I missed pole was because of the tire compound, which was just too good aggressive for us. Is this the best feeling I’ve had in the car this year? Yes, absolutely.”
Red Bull Arrived in Italy with a Package of Aerodynamic Updates, Hoping to Close the Gap With McLaren. Verstappen Tempered Expectations on Thursday, But Sounded More Hopeful After the Qualification.
“I think we can say that the updates are working. It may not direct result in a lap time, but it does help us with tuning the car. The tire wear is a consumer different story.”
Verstappen is referring to the soft c6 tire, which was introduced by pirelli in Imola This Weekend. Red Bull Has Often Struggled with Overheating Tires This Season. The extra soft compound only amplifies that problem.
‘Still a Disadvantage Compared to McLaren’
Verstappen Still sees a Big Difference with McLaren on That Point, which has been dominant, Mainly with Piastri, All Season. “We still have a disadvantage in the racing compared to McLaren. It will get a bit better, but i don’t think we can really attack them Tomorrow. Suffer Much less from overheating than we do.”
And Red Bull won Solve That Easily, Verstappen Emphasizes. Compared to the McLaren, Tire Wear is the Biggest Problem Red Bull Suffers from. “We can put ten more updates on the car, but the most important thing is to get Those Tires Right. McLaren is Doing a Smart Job in That Regard.”
Accordance to Verstappen, Red Bull is Tryping to Copy McLaren’s Tire Trick. “But that’s not easy, otherwise everyone would have done it already. Ai is very good for that. You can analyze a lot with it.”
After the race in Imola, the weekend in Monaco Follows Directly, after which the Grand Prix of Spain is Already on the Program A Week later. Accordance to Verstappen, The Triptych Can Play an Important Role in The Championship. Verstappen is in Third Place, 32 Points Behind World Championship Leader Piastri.
“Everyone within the Team Knows That Thesis Week Are Crucial. Everyone Hopes that we Will Move Forward With Thesis Updates. But for Now, McLaren Remains the Big Favorite. Our Tires Get Too Warm in One Lap, And In The Race, of Course Even wors.”
Verstappen did not want to take risks with tires
It was remarkable that george russell drove the third time in Q3 on the medium tire, displacing norris from the second row. The medium seemed perhaps faster than the soft tire on the imola circuit.
Verstappen Did Not Consider Doing the Same in Q3. “
For Verstappen, The Feeling of Progress is More Important Than The Starting Position. Red Bull is not yet where it is to be, but in imola, for the first time in week, there is a clear step forward. The Question Now is Whether That Is Enough to Turn the Tide. The Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna Starts on Sunday at 3:00 pm.