Red Bull reveal Max Verstappen struggling with "balance mish-mash"

Verstappen, Red Bull, F1, Turkey — Photo: © LAT Images

Turkish Grand Prix

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Red Bull reveal Verstappen struggling with "balance mish-mash"

Verstappen suffered with understeer throughout practice

Ewan Gale

Friday 8 October 2021 15:45 Updated: 15:49

Christian Horner is confident Red Bull can solve the "balance mish-mash" that saw Max Verstappen suffer with understeer throughout Friday practice for the Turkish Grand Prix.

The highly-raked RB16B often performs with the best front-end grip on the grid yet faced issues with balance on both low and high fuel, leaving Verstappen constantly complaining of a lack of turn in.

Asked if he wanted a front-flap adjustment during a stop, Verstappen suggested it may be an issue with the tyres.

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Horner, though, told Sky Sports F1 after the two sessions the team had struggled with finding a balance.

"We have got a little bit of a balance mish-mash at the moment," explained Horner.

"The circuit is a lot grippier than what it was last year and I think we are just a little bit out of the window with Max on set up.

"Going to be a busy night tonight with the engineers and no doubt back in Milton Keynes as well."

On whether the issues could be rectified ahead of Saturday's running, Horner replied: "I think so, I think it is just understanding it.

"We know we have got a good car, so it is just getting it into that window and I don't think we hit that today.

"Obviously, you try to optimise the amount of information you are getting so you split the strategies.

"It has been a good day for Checo [Sergio Perez], some good information there so that is obviously extremely useful for the team as we pick which direction to go for tomorrow."

Mercedes ICE penalty "doesn't affect" Red Bull

Lewis Hamilton topped both sessions at Istanbul Park but will take a 10-place grid penalty after Mercedes opted to fit a new engine into the W12.

On whether Red Bull had expected the move this weekend, Horner said: "I think it was probably, from what we understand, a forced choice rather than a selected choice.

"We have seen they have had issues with some of their other teams as well. It doesn't affect us and what we are doing but it shows how tight and tough it is to get to the end of the season with three engines that neither of us have managed.

"Hopefully, we can do it on four."