General
Discussion about speed Red Bull Racing, where does Verstappen really stand?
- GPblog.com
In addition to the fact that there is much to be done to the Mercedes DAS system, the somewhat surprising lack of speed at Red Bull Racing this Friday was also striking. The question is to what extent this picture is representative of their actual speed this Sunday.
Even in the studio of Ziggo Sport they don't agree. Analysts Robert Doornbos and Tom Coronel are diametrically opposed in 'Formula 1 Café' when it comes to discussing how seriously we should take the free practice sessions. According to Doornbos Red Bull and Verstappen fans have nothing to worry about. Verstappen would have held back enormously and all negativity is great 'nonsense!
"If you went onboard with him you just heard 'lift and coast', which means he's saving fuel. He wasn't using DRS, so that's also an indication that they're really on racetrim. Weight also plays a huge role on a 63-second lap."
"Who are you parotting?" Coronel responds. "As a driver and as a team, you want to know where you stand in relation to the rest." According to Coronel, the team wouldn't benefit from training at racing speed alone, as the track will have much more grip in the coming days. According to Coronel, the reasoning to take it easy now is therefore wrong.