Red Bull Explain Max Verstappen's Mexico Qualifying Time Loss

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has revealed that a ride height adjustment was behind Max Verstappen's unexpected five-tenths time loss to Lando Norris during Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying. This left Verstappen a disappointing fifth on the grid, with significant work ahead at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's dominant qualifying form is rarely challenged, making this performance anomaly a critical point for Red Bull. Understanding and addressing this issue is vital for their race strategy, especially considering the high-altitude challenges of Mexico and the competitive threat from McLaren and Mercedes. A strong recovery in the race will be key to maintaining their championship momentum.

The Details:

• Ride Height Adjustment: Marko explained that Verstappen's RB21 was set with a higher ride height than ideal for the second sector of the track.
• Compromise for the Race: This setup change was a deliberate compromise made with the race in mind, anticipating a full fuel load and slower cornering speeds.
• Sector Two Struggles: Verstappen lost a significant five-tenths of a second in the middle sector, an area characterized by high-speed direction changes.
• Grip Issues: Throughout the weekend, Verstappen reported a consistent lack of grip, and onboard footage from qualifying showed the RB21 being particularly unsettled and snapping unpredictably in the middle sector.
• Tyre Wear Concerns: Marko expressed concern that the time loss in the second sector, particularly in just two corners, could pose a challenge in the race, emphasizing that tire wear would be a decisive factor.

What's next:

Red Bull's gamble on a race-focused setup means the team expects Verstappen's performance to improve when the car is heavier with fuel and cornering speeds are lower. The effectiveness of this strategy will be put to the test during the Grand Prix. If the ride height adjustment indeed stabilizes the car for race conditions, Verstappen could still make a strong charge through the field. However, if tire degradation becomes a major issue, the initial qualifying deficit could prove difficult to overcome.