'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Max Verstappen remains confident that Red Bull will be competitive at the 2024 Azerbaijan GP following Friday’s free practice sessions. Speaking to F1 TV, Verstappen attributed the promising results to the extensive work done between the Monza and Baku races.
In the first free practice session, Verstappen topped the timesheets with a fastest lap of 1:45.546. However, in FP2, he finished sixth with a fastest lap of 1:44.029. Although the Baku circuit is less punishing for the Red Bull RB20 compared to Monza, the team struggles most in the medium downforce corners. On the straights, the Red Bull lagged behind Mercedes and Ferrari, but fine-tuning the setup before FP3 could improve its position for qualifying and the race.
Trending
Verstappen had a straightforward FP1 but encountered understeer in FP2, which he considers a minor issue. Overall, the 25-year old was pleased with the session and is confident about his prospects for Saturday and Sunday. He believes that the factory’s efforts since Monza have been beneficial. If Red Bull can find the right balance by Saturday, the reigning champion will be a strong contender for pole position.
Expressing his views on the practice sessions in Baku, the Red Bull champion said:
“I think overall a good day. We learnt quite a bit. Now it's just about tidying up the things that we tried. But I think so far we’ve been more competitive this weekend, so that's a positive.”
Asked if he put down the positive result to the work back at the Red Bull HQ in the break, Verstappen said:
“Yeah a lot of work in the background, which won't stop. But today was positive.”
Asked if the understeer he struggled with could be dialled out overnight, the Red Bull driver replied:
“Yeah but this track is also very slippery, lot of 90 degree corners. So sometimes if you have a tiny lock, sometimes you just hold the brake to not hit the wall or whatever, just out of precaution. But for sure FP2 was a bit more difficult for me. So like I said we just need to get the balance together a bit more and then I am quite confident we’ll be competitive.”
Sergio Perez hails progress made by Red Bull after the practice sessions in Azerbaijan
Historically, the Baku street circuit has been a standout venue for Sergio Perez. He has secured victories here in 2021 and 2023 and finished second in 2022. In the seven years of the circuit’s history, Perez remains the only repeat winner at this venue. Before his time with Red Bull, Perez earned two podium finishes with Force India in 2016 and 2018. The 34-year-old feels that the team made significant progress during the practice sessions, finishing third fastest in FP1 and second fastest in FP2, and he is optimistic about the prospects ahead.
Describing his practice sessions ahead of the Azerbaijan GP, he said:
“We did good progress from FP1 to FP2, so we just have to make sure that we’re able to progress from here. I think we can definitely be in the mix for tomorrow. I think we’re heading in the right direction, we’re finding that we can put a little bit more together the car. There’s still a long way to go, but it’s promising what we’ve seen so far.”
Asked about his chances of fighting for pole, Perez replied:
“I think tomorrow anything can happen, really, so we just have to keep our head down and hopefully deliver a great couple of laps. Well, we only need one in Q3.”
Currently, Red Bull Racing holds a narrow lead of just eight points over McLaren in the constructors' championship. In contrast, the team is more comfortably positioned in the drivers' championship, with Verstappen leading Lando Norris by 62 points.
Given the positive feedback from the drivers and its solid long-run pace, RBR could see both of its drivers competing for pole position in qualifying. However, there may be strong competition in terms of race pace from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. With qualifying being crucial at the Baku circuit, it is essential for the Milton Keynes team to secure the best possible result to extend its lead over its rivals.
