Max Verstappen, the defending two-time world champion, faced a challenging qualifying session at Marina Bay. The ongoing struggles with the RB19 machines were evident as Verstappen described his car as “undriveable.” The car’s bottoming out issue not only impacted its performance but also left Verstappen lacking confidence, especially under braking.
Throughout the qualifying session, Verstappen found himself entangled in multiple incidents that caught the attention of the FIA stewards. The first incident involved a possible impeding of rookie F1 racer Logan Sargeant’s Williams between Turn 17 and 18 in Q1. The second incident occurred when Verstappen allegedly impeded cars at the pit exit after his RB19 encountered an issue while waiting at a green light. The third incident involved AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda, where Verstappen appeared to impede him between Turns 3 and 4.
Verstappen faced a hearing with the stewards, but notably, an AlphaTauri representative was not present at the hearing despite the normal procedure. The stewards handed Verstappen a reprimand for two out of the three incidents. In the case of impeding Sargeant, Verstappen was limited in his options due to traffic overtaking on either side and was deemed to have taken the safest course of action by continuing in a straight line.
The incident involving Tsunoda was cleared based on a precedent set earlier in the season. The stewards referenced previous decisions and determined that a reprimand for Verstappen was sufficient. Additionally, Verstappen was excused for the pit exit incident, even though he experienced an “extraordinary” wait of 14 seconds. While waiting for an extended period did not provide a clear advantage for Verstappen, the potential negative impact on other drivers warranted a penalty in the form of a reprimand.
The RB19 machines have been a cause of concern for Red Bull throughout the weekend at Marina Bay. The car’s drivability issues, highlighted by Verstappen’s description, raise questions about the team’s ability to fine-tune their setups and find the optimal performance. As the defending champions, Red Bull’s struggles are notable, and they will need to address these issues swiftly to maintain their competitive edge.
The bottoming out issue faced by Verstappen significantly impacted his performance on the Marina Bay circuit. With the car hitting the track surface and losing stability, Verstappen’s confidence suffered, particularly under braking. Without the assurance of a stable car, it becomes challenging for a driver to push to their limits and extract the maximum performance from themselves and their machine.
The incident involving Verstappen at the pit exit highlighted the importance of orderly departures. While the stewards recognized that Verstappen did not gain an obvious advantage by waiting for an abnormally long time, they emphasized the potential negative impact on other drivers. It is crucial for all cars to depart the pit exit in an organized manner to ensure fair competition and minimize disruptions on the track.
Marina Bay proved to be a challenging race weekend for Max Verstappen and the Red Bull team. The struggles with the RB19 machines and the issues faced by Verstappen impacted his qualifying session, resulting in a disappointing elimination in Q2. The incidents and subsequent penalties further added to Verstappen’s frustrations. Red Bull must address the drivability issues of their cars promptly to remain competitive and support their championship campaign. As the season progresses, the team’s ability to overcome these hurdles will be crucial in their pursuit of success on the Formula 1 stage.
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