Horner has no illusions about the Bahrain race
Team principal Christian Horner is tempering the enthusiasm that has built up after a fine weekend in Japan, warning that conditions in Sakhir could reveal the weaknesses of a hard-to-tame RB21.
A week ago, Red Bull Racing surprised by securing pole position and winning the Japanese Grand Prix with Max Verstappen, despite unpromising practice sessions. However, in Bahrain, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner urges caution, warning that the performance in Sakhir might not be repeated.
Max Verstappen’s Challenge with Red Bull
Max Verstappen, just one point behind the championship leader Lando Norris of McLaren, is close to reclaiming the drivers’ title. However, the Bahrain race could complicate his ambitions. The RB21, difficult to drive, suffers from balance issues, temperature, and tire degradation. Verstappen’s unexpected victory in Japan was aided by Suzuka’s resurfacing and cool temperatures, conditions that won’t be present in Bahrain.
Free practice in Bahrain
During Friday’s practice sessions in Bahrain, McLaren dominated both sessions, while Verstappen, having handed over the wheel to Ayumu Iwasa in the first session, only managed the seventh-best time in the second session, even behind Isack Hadjar in the Racing Bulls.
Christian Horner acknowledged the challenges ahead: « We have a lot to do tonight. The McLarens seem very fast, with Mercedes and Ferrari also competitive. McLaren seems to have a few tenths of a second advantage over the rest of the field. »
Performance issues
Red Bull must understand how to improve temperature and tire management, challenges already encountered in Japan. Horner states: « It is impossible to repeat what he did last week over a single lap and then hold the cars behind for an entire Grand Prix. » He adds that the Bahrain track, conducive to overtaking, will require intensive work with the engineers.
Helmut Marko, senior advisor at Red Bull, shares this view, stating to PlanetF1.com that the car is too slow due to a tire anomaly. Therefore, expectations for this weekend should be moderated.
Disappointing qualifications
Last night, the Red Bulls were very discreet on the circuit. Max is no longer shining and Tsunoda is still adapting to the formidable beast that is the RB21.
Max Verstappen stated after the qualification: « Yes, it was a very difficult weekend, I struggled again with my brakes », a problem that seems recurrent at the start of the season for him. The grip on the circuit being very irregular did not make his task any easier.
On his side, Yuki Tsunoda felt a lack of grip during a large part of the qualifying sessions. Moreover, a big mistake at turn 10 cost him quite a bit. He then stated that, obviously, the car is difficult to handle and that applies even to Max, as you saw.
What could be done for the 2 drivers starting in 7th and 10th place respectively? Is a Verstappen comeback possible?
