Max Verstappen Reveals How Red Bull Intends to Fix Their Biggest Weakness Without Sacrificing Speed

Max Verstappen, the defending Formula 1 champion, has been vocal about a persistent issue that has been hindering Red Bull's RB20 car—the notorious kerb-riding problem. Despite Red Bull's strong performances, particularly in Canada where Verstappen clinched another victory, the Dutch driver has stressed that this problem is limiting the team's ultimate potential. According to Verstappen, however, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. He believes that the team can solve this issue without compromising on the car’s aerodynamic strengths.

Red Bull has long been lauded for its ground effect cars, but recent races have exposed a significant flaw. The RB20 struggles to absorb bumps and kerbs, an issue that has cropped up at multiple circuits this season. While this problem was less evident in Canada, thanks to the rain and unique track conditions, Verstappen did not shy away from addressing it. He firmly believes that a solution is within reach.

“I really think that we can solve this without influencing any other part of the car,” Verstappen said after the Canadian Grand Prix. His confidence is backed by the team's commitment to tackling this issue head-on. Verstappen pointed out, “It’s quite a big performance limitation for us at the moment.”

The current state of affairs may make some tracks less troublesome, but Verstappen is keen on finding a comprehensive fix. He is looking forward to upcoming races where kerb-riding might not be as critical. This highlights the importance of Red Bull's engineering team working flat out to remedy the problem.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner shares Verstappen's optimism. In the Canadian Grand Prix, Red Bull showed tangible improvements from previous races like Monaco. Horner highlighted Verstappen's competitive performance in the last chicane, a sector that demanded impeccable kerb-riding ability.

“All of it has to work in tandem,” Horner explained. “So you are pushing the aerodynamic platform of the car, but you want the car to ride kerbs.” This delicate balance between aerodynamics and kerb-riding is crucial for Red Bull. Horner noted, “Our sector three this weekend was competitive, even with the stiffness of the car rattling over that last chicane.”

Red Bull's engineering team is dedicated to resolving this issue. Horner echoed Verstappen’s sentiments that unlocking this performance could free up significant lap time. “If we can unlock that, then we will see it free up lap time,” said Horner, encouraging fans to look forward to a more fine-tuned Red Bull car in the near future.

As the Formula 1 season progresses, Red Bull remains a fierce competitor. However, addressing this kerb-riding conundrum could be the key to unlocking their full potential. Both Verstappen and Horner are confident that the team can find a solution that enhances performance without sacrificing their aerodynamic strengths.

The next few races will be crucial in revealing whether Red Bull can maintain their competitive edge while overcoming this challenge. Verstappen’s optimism and Horner’s strategic insights offer a promising outlook, one that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.