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Max Verstappen and Red Bull look ahead to F1 race Baku

This is what Verstappen and Red Bull expect from the F1 weekend in Baku

9 September at 16:00
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  • Nicole Mulder

Max Verstappen warns that Red Bull must change the whole car to compete in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. But Helmut Marko holds out hope for the Red Bull team. He looks back to previous experiences in Baku.

Verstappen had a clear message for his team after the Italian Grand Prix: a lot needs to change about Red Bull Racing's Formula 1 car, and fast. Helmut Marko admitted that the team has taken a wrong turn somewhere, while team boss Christian Horner hopes a turnaround is coming. This is what Verstappen and Red Bull had to say ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Verstappen and Red Bull explains expectations for Baku

Verstappen was clear about Red Bull's chances in Azerbaijan. "It's really bad at the moment. And before Baku we have a lot of work to do to basically change the whole car," Verstappen said.

Marko pointed out that Red Bull had been successful at the Baku City Circuit in previous years, including with Sergio Perez.  "In Baku, we were always competitive, but this time, it will be crucial how quickly we can get the desired balance back into the car. If we can do that to some extent, we should be in better shape for the Azerbaijan GP," the external advisor wrote in his column for Speedweek. Perez is the most successful driver in Baku's F1 history, scoring 115 points. The next best is Lewis Hamilton, with 85 points.

"And if Verstappen gets a car he can reasonably fight with, then his extra class will come to the fore," Marko added. Marko also stated that Verstappen has found the weak point in the RB20.

Team boss Horner is hopeful that Red Bull will come up with solutions. "I think the most important thing is to understand the problem," Horner said in Italy on Sunday to GPblog and others. "I think there are certain solutions that could possibly be introduced. Maybe not to solve the whole problem, but to address part of it. We now have a two-week period before Baku and Singapore, and then we have a mini-vacation between Singapore and Austin. So this time is crucial now."