‘Red Bull drives with an unsuitable rear wing’

Max Verstappen’s poor start in the possible championship weekend in Las Vegas can be explained, says Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko. The team drives in the United States with a rear wing that is better suited to other circuits.

Verstappen and teammate Sergio Pérez both rode in the rear during the second training session. On the straights, the Red Bull car went up to seven kilometers per hour slower than the Mercedes and McLaren cars. Those cars drive with a smaller rear wing, Marko sees. “We don’t have that narrower rear wing, as we see with our competitors.”

According to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, the car also suffered from the lower temperatures, around 10 degrees, in Vegas. “It’s all about the tires and the temperature. Those are the two critical elements so far. In the long runs the car was still okay, but in the short runs we haven’t managed it yet,” he said on F1TV.

The question remains whether the wing gives Verstappen no chance. The reigning champion mainly complained in training about his tires and the lack of grip. Verstappen thinks that a lot of time can still be saved there. The Dutchman was quite pleased with the balance in the car, which he had complained about in recent months.

“We certainly don’t have the title until it has been played,” says Horner. “Our speed is not there now and if we do not finish, the entire championship battle will be open again.”

Yet in the end there is only one deserved world champion, the team boss believes. “Max has been brilliant this year. He has always remained cool despite difficult periods. There is no driver who deserves it more than him this year.”