Max Verstappen expressed his frustration after an engine issue ruined his chances at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver believed Baku was his team's best opportunity to win this season, especially with Mercedes set to bring a major upgrade in Malaysia. However, a poor qualifying left Verstappen starting from eighth on the grid.
An internal combustion engine (ICE) problem caused Verstappen to lose half a second on the straights compared to teammate Isack Hadjar. Additionally, a yellow flag caused by Lando Norris's incident and battery problems compounded the situation. "I was already losing a lot of time on the straights, and that made it very difficult," Verstappen said. Nevertheless, polesitter George Russell still described Verstappen as the biggest threat for victory.
Verstappen acknowledged Mercedes' pace advantage at the Baku City Circuit. "They are really quick, maybe too strong for us. But I will fight hard for the podium," he said. However, he emphasized that Baku was Red Bull's best chance to win before Mercedes introduces its upgrade in Malaysia. "They will become even stronger with that upgrade. So this was our chance, and we certainly did a great job messing it up," he added.
Red Bull has already brought its final major upgrade of the year, while Mercedes will follow in Malaysia. Verstappen felt a strong result in Baku was on the cards. "I felt good in the car and was on top of it all weekend. Maybe we weren't as quick as Mercedes, but that's been the case all season. It's frustrating when you can't show it," he explained.
Despite the disappointment, Verstappen tried to stay positive. He still aims to win a race in 2026 to avoid his first winless year since 2015. "I never give up. I try again every weekend, but we have to be realistic," he concluded.
Impact on Red Bull
The failure in Baku further complicates Red Bull's position in the constructors' championship. With Mercedes continuously developing their car, Verstappen and the team must work hard to stay competitive. The race in Malaysia will be a tough test, especially with Mercedes' upgrade. If Verstappen wants to end the season with a win, he must seize every opportunity.
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Fernando Alonso fokus selamatkan komponen Aston Martin di GP Azerbaijan. Defisit tenaga Honda dan penalti mesin jadi kendala utama di Baku.
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