Verstappen Suffers in Hungary: P8 in Qualifying, Red Bull Lacks Grip

Verstappen Struggles for Comfort at the Hungarian Grand Prix

The current champion, Max Verstappen, expressed his discomfort with his Red Bull during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, after qualifying in eighth position for Sunday’s race. Verstappen struggled to find the right balance in his car throughout the three practice sessions at the Hungaroring. His final position in qualifying represented his best result during the on-track activities this weekend.

“There hasn’t been a single lap or a single corner where I’ve felt good. The whole weekend has been a constant sliding,” Verstappen commented.

Max Verstappen

The Dutch driver added that, considering the overall performance of the weekend, being in Q3 was an achievement, given that he had spent more time outside the top 10 than inside. He explained that the lack of grip, both front and rear, persisted throughout qualifying, which did not surprise him.

The medium-speed and long-duration corners of the Hungaroring exposed some of Red Bull’s deficiencies. Verstappen pointed out that the current performance represents a significant setback compared to the previous year, when he qualified third on the same circuit. Verstappen, currently third in the championship, sees his chances of defending the title increasingly reduced, with an 81-point gap to the championship leader, Oscar Piastri, who will start second on the grid for the Hungarian Grand Prix. When asked about his expectations for Sunday’s race, Verstappen commented that he might struggle with some cars ahead, although he anticipated that Lewis Hamilton, who will start from twelfth position, could be a difficult rival.