Red Bull admitted that they had concerns ahead of the F1 sprint qualifying in China and with mixed results they are cautious of the potential across the weekend depite Verstappen’s P2 qualification.
In the first and only free practice session of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Red Bull finished 16th and 18th with Max Verstappen maintaining an advantage over Liam Lawson. This left Red Bull with questions about the car’s pace and low expectations for sprint qualifying.
In the F1 sprint qualifying, Red Bull managed to pull out some performance from the RB21 with Max Verstappen clinching a P2 start for the sprint. Unfortunately, Liam Lawson wasn’t as lucky, suffering another Q1 exit and starting the sprint race last.
Red Bull advisor, Dr Helmut Marko admitted to Motorsport.com that the pace the RB21 had in Free practice left the team ‘worried’.
He said, “We were really worried about being able to make the first two rows.”
He went on to note that changes to the car helped. But ultimately Verstappen’s P2 was aided by his own skill behind the wheel of the RB21.
“They changed several things on the car, which obviously helped as well, and then a mega lap from Max.”
Marko also discussion Liam Lawson’s mistake that led to him starting at the back of the grid. Despite cirticism last week to some of the Red Bull drivers, Marko confessed he believes Lawson ‘needs more time’ before he can be acccurately judged.
Sprint race focus
With the F1 sprint qualfiying done, Red Bull are turning their attentions to the sprint race. With make in second they have the opportunity to take vital points. Especially with Mclaren starting further behind.
Marko admitted their worries still lie in the tyre degradation which was a topic of conversation across the Australian Grand Prix weekend with Max Verstappen struggling heavily behind the McLaren’s during the race.
With McLaren seemingly holding the edge over the rest of the pack when it comes to tyres. The sprint means one set’s longevity will play a role on the driver’s ability to stay ahead of the rest of the field.
He said, “We hope that with these changes the tyre wear will also dramatically improve. The sprint is 19 laps, which is quite a lot, but we feel positive. So, I hope tomorrow we can see the speed for the whole distance, but this was a very positive surprise.”
Racing Bulls performance
In Australia, the duo at Racing Bulls showed the potential to make themselves serious contenders for coinsistent points playing positions in the 2025 season. Across the weekend there were times where they consistently out performed Red Bull.
For the second weekend in a row Tsunoada made it into Q3 and with a tactical moment between the teammates. Where Hadjar supplied Tsunoda with a slipstream after a small mistake ended his fast lap.
Marko was quick to praise both drivers claiming Tsuonda is in ‘the form of his life’.
“They did a very smart thing,” He said. “Yuki got a slipstream from Hadjar, who had a wobble, so his lap was destroyed anyway. So it was technically very good. Yuki is in the form of his life so far, and Isack didn’t know this circuit, so he did very well.”
