Max Verstappen has been highly critical of the challenges presented by the RB20 car. The Dutchman has been dominating the F1 scene since his first title win in 2021. Over the following years, he became the standard and achieved an impressive 34 victories between 2022-23.
However, in recent races, his lead has dwindled as the RB20 has proven to be quite difficult to handle. To better understand the complexities of the car, the 26-year-old reportedly participated in a private test at Imola, driving his RB18.
Red Bull initially showcased their dominance in the ongoing season. However, this quickly changed as other teams joined the fight for victories, while the RB20 seemed to reach its development limit. This sudden decline in performance resulted in Max Verstappen losing several races and having to fiercely battle for a win in Canada.
According to De Telegraaf, in an effort to address the peculiar characteristics of the RB20, Red Bull recently conducted a private test at Imola using the 2022 car, which Verstappen drove and provided feedback on. This private test highlights the current threat faced by the Austrian team amidst fierce competition. Furthermore, the reigning champion has expressed similar concerns earlier, and it appears that the constructor title is up for grabs.
Although Verstappen displayed his wet weather expertise and emerged victorious in the Canadian race, there are still 15 races remaining in the season. A few setbacks could diminish his lead in the driver’s championship and eliminate the possibility of securing a fourth consecutive title.
Facing tough competition from rivals, Verstappen is hopeful for calmer weather conditions in Barcelona. The 26-year-old aims to maintain the momentum from Canada and expressed his desire for favorable weather in Catalunya, unlike the challenging conditions experienced in Montreal. This could indicate Red Bull’s strong performance in dry weather.
However, the Spanish GP is known for throwing unexpected challenges. Therefore, the Milton Keynes-based team might need to navigate the 4.6-kilometer track carefully and hope that their rivals encounter difficulties.