Max Verstappen explained why he gained on his rivals after a slow start to the Chinese Grand Prix. Despite being the defending Drivers’ Champion, Verstappen’s current car lacks the consistent speed needed to fight for regular race victories, making his title defense appear uncertain.
At the Shanghai International Circuit, Verstappen’s pace fell behind competitors like McLaren and Mercedes’ George Russell. He qualified fourth, nearly two-tenths slower than Oscar Piastri’s pole position time. After the opening lap, both Ferrari drivers passed him, and it seemed likely he would finish as low as sixth.
However, in the second half of the race, Verstappen’s pace improved while others struggled. He overtook both Ferraris and finished in the same fourth position where he started. He even began closing the gap on Russell and might have had a shot at a podium if the race had lasted a few more laps.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Verstappen revealed that the key difference was an increase in tyre grip. “I suddenly picked up tyre grip,” he said. “The balance stayed the same, but I had more grip while others seemed to level off. This made our lap times better and the car more enjoyable to drive.”
Verstappen acknowledged the challenging start to the race but highlighted their strategy to focus on their own pace. He referenced issues from the earlier Sprint race, where pushing too hard caused his tyres to wear out quickly. While his tyres were still in reasonable condition when he pitted during the Grand Prix, he admitted this wasn’t the ideal race approach. Nevertheless, the improved performance during the second stint offered hope for future races.
When asked about Red Bull’s areas for improvement, Verstappen admitted it was difficult to pinpoint the exact problem. However, he believed the final stint provided valuable insights. “There’s a clearer picture now,” he explained. “We’ll analyze the data, learn from it, and aim to be more competitive in Suzuka.”
Verstappen will return to action in the RB21 at the Japanese Grand Prix, scheduled to begin at 06:00
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