Verstappen is disappointed after difficult VT2 Bahrain: 'We are just too slow

Max Verstappen had to settle for seventh place in FP2 in Bahrain, while Oscar Piastri topped the timesheets ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

Verstappen not happy at all in Bahrain

Verstappen, who had to make way for rookie Ayumu Iwasa in the first free practice, immediately struggled with a lack of grip. In his first session of the F1 weekend, he couldn't keep up with the pace-setters, McLaren. The Dutchman ended eight tenths behind the fastest man on the track, Oscar Piastri. The Australian's teammate Norris was slightly slower, and George Russell followed in P3, half a second behind.

Afterwards, Verstappen expresses his frustrations. "It was a tough day, I struggled to find grip," he tells The Telegraph. "The balance of the car wasn't very bad, but we still have work to do. Overall, we are just too slow. Not only over one lap, but also in the long run. I didn't enjoy it much. The gap is very large."

During the session, Verstappen reported problems with the bouncing of his RB21 over the radio. Shortly after, he also had issues with the brakes and a lack of grip, making the session far from smooth.

On the other side of the Red Bull garage, things were also difficult. Yuki Tsunoda could only manage a lowly P18, while rookies Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar managed to get into the top 6, with Charles Leclerc also beating Verstappen's time.

Red Bull's form does not seem to be cause for immediate panic after the Friday at the Sakhir International Circuit, but it is clear that there is work to be done for the Milton Keynes-based team. Saturday will see the third free practice, followed by qualifying for the fourth Grand Prix of the season.