Max Verstappen says only front-runner retirements could hand him victory, as Red Bull struggles to find pace and consistency in China.
After qualifying P4 at the Chinese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen opened up about his challenges — and the uphill battle ahead if he wants to win.
“Honestly? I’ll only win if the cars ahead of me retire,” he admitted with a wry smile.
“We’re just not fast enough.”
Verstappen said his qualifying lap was decent, but consistency was a major issue.
“Lap after lap, corner after corner — it was tough to find a good balance. I’m working with the team to improve, but right now, it’s not coming together.”
He feels confident in himself, but not always in what the car is telling him.
“Sometimes, the car reacts in ways I don’t expect. It makes cornering unpredictable — and that’s not what you want in a race.”
And when that happens, tire degradation becomes a bigger problem.
“You end up wearing out the tires more than the cars around you. That puts us at a disadvantage.”
Despite the issues, Verstappen says he’s never felt stronger behind the wheel.
“I think I’m driving better than ever. I’ve nailed qualifying prep, I’m hitting my laps well — so it’s clear the problem isn’t me. It’s the RB21 we need to focus on.”
“We’re doing everything we can, but if the pace just isn’t there — in qualifying or the race — there’s only so much we can do.”
Horner: “Pole Isn’t Everything”
Team Principal Christian Horner, however, remains more optimistic about Red Bull’s chances.
“These tires are tricky. In the Sprint race, we saw all sorts of wear patterns and car behavior,” he said.
“Pole position won’t be the deciding factor here. Strategy and how you manage the front-left tire will matter more. If the car finds a good balance, Max can definitely be in the mix.”
As for Liam Lawson, who qualified last, Horner didn’t say much.
“It was a tough day for him. We’ll go through everything, analyze the data, and make sure he’s got the best possible car for tomorrow.”
- Discover More>Lawson Qualifies Last Again: “Simply Not Good Enough”
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Verstappen: Only a Mass DNF Ahead Can Save My Race
Verstappen: Only a Mass DNF Ahead Can Save My Race