Racing Bulls Shine in Suzuka Practice as Verstappen Vows to Overcome Struggles
Max Verstappen’s assertion that his former teammate Liam Lawson would excel in the newly minted Racing Bulls car gathered momentum during Friday’s practice sessions at the Japanese Grand Prix. Both Isack Hadjar and Lawson outperformed the reigning world champion, securing impressive positions that raised eyebrows in the paddock.
Racing Bulls Outshine Red Bull: A Surprising Turn of Events
In a striking display of performance, Isack Hadjar clocked in at third place, just four tenths behind the frontrunning McLarens, while Liam Lawson secured fifth, edging past Ferrari‘s Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen, who managed to finish eighth, found himself trailing Lawson by marginal hundredths in a session that highlighted the burgeoning potential of the Racing Bulls machinery.
Drivers Weigh In: Feedback on the VCARB 02
Hadjar’s strong performance validates the sentiments expressed by various Red Bull family drivers. Lawson noted that the VCARB 02 features a "wider operating window" compared to the RB21, confirming the speculation about its driver-friendliness. Verstappen acknowledged that Red Bull has yet to resolve its performance issues, remarking, "We tried various things with the car, but a lot of them didn’t work as we had hoped."
Teammate Challenges: Tsunoda’s Transition in Focus
New Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda, who finished in a less flattering P18, attributed his struggles to being unable to undertake a qualifying-simulation run due to red flags. Initially optimistic about the RB21’s performance, Tsunoda admitted that the car felt significantly different from its simulator counterpart, showcasing the challenges faced by drivers transitioning to a new machinery.
Comparing Laps: Insights on Verstappen and Hadjar
A detailed examination of the telemetry data reveals that both Racing Bulls excelled in straight-line speed, a significant advantage that allowed them to outpace Verstappen. Despite a strong showing in corner exits like the Esses and Spoon, Verstappen’s gains were negated on the straights, emphasizing the tracks’ dynamic nature and the importance of setup choices.
Implications for Race Day: Long-Run Analysis
While all teams aimed to incorporate race simulations during FP2, the session was marred by four red flags, complicating useful data collection. Nevertheless, Mclaren’s Lando Norris emerged as the frontrunner in race pace, exhibiting minimal tyre degradation. In contrast, Red Bull’s long-run performance raised concerns, echoing Verstappen’s earlier statements about the work needed to reclaim their competitive edge.
Conclusion: A Race Weekend Full of Questions
As the paddock gears up for the race, the unexpected performances from Racing Bulls coupled with Red Bull’s ongoing struggles set the stage for a captivating Grand Prix. With questions lingering about race pace and car setup, fans are left anticipating how this weekend unfolds at Suzuka.
For more insight and in-depth analysis, stay tuned to BBC Sport for the latest updates on the Japanese Grand Prix and the Formula 1 season.