F1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix: Struggling Max Verstappen FUMES with team amid Imola concerns

Max Verstappen in Miami — Photo: © IMAGO

GPFans Analysis

Struggling Verstappen FUMES with team amid Imola concerns

Is Max Verstappen finally beatable going into the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix?

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Friday 17 May 2024 23:59

Max Verstappen’s bubble has well and truly burst, following defeat at the Miami Grand Prix, and a spluttering start to the Emilia-Romagna GP weekend.

The Dutchman seemed uncomfortable with his RB20 car on Friday, heading off the track and into the gravel on three occasions.

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Verstappen only managed a P5 in FP1 and P7 in FP2, with the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc dominating both practice sessions.

Whilst Verstappen and Red Bull will have the chance to change the car for the grand prix, Friday was a rare glimpse underneath Verstappen’s usually imperious veneer.

Max Verstappen has made a series of errors during free practice in Imola

Can anyone beat Verstappen this weekend?

Verstappen bemoans ‘difficult day’

"My God. I don't know man. It's so difficult everything man. This time suddenly the front grips up a lot, I almost spin," Verstappen said.

Verstappen elaborated on his difficulties following FP2, revealing he particularly struggled with his long run pace.

"A difficult day. Just difficult to get a good balance and just not really feeling comfortable in the car, moving around a lot," Verstappen told F1 TV.

"It's very easy to lose the car, so we have a few things that we have to look at because today definitely.... just bad, just not comfortable.

"Also the long run was really bad, so definitely a few things that we have to improve if we want to be competitive tomorrow.

"Today we were just severely off the pace that we need to fix.

"I guess it can't be worse than what we had today, right?

"We'll look at a few things that we can do better for tomorrow. But yeah, it looks a bit like the others took a bit of a step forward. And from our side just a bad day.''

Why are Red Bull struggling?

Verstappen specifically struggled in Turns 11 and 12, Acque Minerali, complaining of a lack of grip at that corner where the car was bottoming when he hit the brakes, and lacked the front grip on turn-in.

Taming the Imola track is proving VERY difficult 😬 pic.twitter.com/hxPCXVDdwg
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 17, 2024

Red Bull have brought upgrades this weekend, making tweaks to their front wing and the floor edge wing, with the floor lowered slightly.

Their closest rivals have also introduced updates to their cars, with Ferrari and Mercedes achieving progress in practice.

Mercedes have taken a positive step forward in both free practice sessions with George Russell finishing P2 in the first practice session.

Ferrari have made major changes all over their car producing a RB20-like upper lip replacing the traditional lower lip, and tweaks to their front and rear wings.

Are Red Bull beatable in Imola?

A dip in Verstappen’s performance begs the question- are Red Bull beatable this weekend?

If free practice is anything to go by, Ferrari and McLaren both look competitive over one lap, and could be favourites to take pole position.

Furthermore, if Red Bull fail to make the right adjustments to their setup and they continue to struggle with their long run pace, they could also be in trouble for the race.

Red Bull Max Verstappen Charles Leclerc Miami Grand Prix Emilia-Romagna GP