Max Verstappen Explains Lack of Pace Compared to Renault

The Red Bull vs Renault feud has been raging for a long time and both factions are eager to beat each other. In Australia, Red Bull and Max Verstappen drew first blood with a podium. But now, in practice, Renault have pulled one over the Bulls. This was achieved when Nico Hulkenberg was fifth behind the two Mercedes and Ferraris and ahead of Max Verstappen in 6th.

According to Max Verstappen, it was the issue of finding the right setup. Speaking to the media after practice, he said, “We still didn’t find the right set-up. We knew that Ferrari was going to be quick and they are. We still have some work to do, especially on the softest tyres.”

Max Verstappen continued, “I had some issues in general in the fastest lap with the power, not having full power.”

“I think on the medium tyre we actually look quite competitive. I should have been first on that tyre. Again I had a power release out of the last corner, I lost three-tenths with that.”

Max Verstappen concluded, “In one way we look competitive but then for qualifying we still don’t look that competitive so we have some work to do.”

Meanwhile, teammate Pierre Gasly fared no better as he could only muster 12th. But the 23-year old if confident of a reversal of fortune in qualifying and the race.

He declared, “In FP2 we were fast with the medium tyres but then with the softs we were lacking some pace.”

“I couldn’t really push on the first laps, so I had to do it on the third, which is not ideal. I think overall the car is good, we’re just missing a bit of pace with this set-up and need to improve our understanding of the soft tyres.”

“I feel confident with the car, for sure it’s a different track than Melbourne so we need to optimise everything but I’m confident we can get it right tomorrow.”

Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly will be hoping to get on top of the issue by Free Practice 3 and more importantly, qualifying.