Max Verstappen concluded the initial practice session of 2024 in sixth position after encountering difficulties with the configuration of the RB-20 car.
The 2024 Formula 1 season has commenced, with the Bahrain Grand Prix serving as the season-opener. There is widespread anticipation that Red Bull and Max Verstappen will continue their dominant form following impressive performances in pre-season testing. However, the current F1 world champion appeared to struggle with the RB-20, which features a radical design, during the first free practice session of the season.
Verstappen completed a significant number of laps during FP1 over the weekend. Nevertheless, the Dutch driver expressed dissatisfaction with the overall setup and calibration of the car. The three-time world champion conveyed his dissatisfaction to his race engineer, stating that everything felt disordered while driving. Verstappen, who is 26 years old, claimed that the car’s setup deviated significantly from his preferences.
It is worth noting that Max Verstappen had previously recorded the fastest lap times before expressing his frustration. However, the Dutch driver encountered a few challenges during the session. The reigning world champion experienced difficulties with the RB-20’s gearbox, including issues with upshifts and downshifts. Following pre-season testing, Verstappen had praised the new car, stating that it performed exactly as he desired during the tests.
Despite facing challenges during the first practice session, Verstappen, who is 26 years old, is unquestionably the favorite for the opening round of the season. Red Bull also made it clear during pre-season testing that they expect Max Verstappen to emerge victorious in the Bahrain GP and ultimately secure the 2024 championship.
Milton Keynes, the location of the Red Bull Racing team, may be grappling with the car’s setup, as Verstappen finished in sixth place at the conclusion of the session. However, the reigning world champion and his crew will collaborate to make the necessary adjustments before the commencement of the second practice session, which will take place shortly.
Fans will undoubtedly hope that Max Verstappen’s early struggles lead to a closely contested grid for Saturday’s race. However, Red Bull will diligently work to ensure that the RB20 performs optimally during Qualifying. It is possible that Verstappen and the team from Milton Keynes are deliberately downplaying their performance to deceive their rivals before unveiling the true potential of the car.