Max Verstappen said the decision not to develop an ultra-low drag rear wing on the Red Bull RB20 is “a bit like [throwing] away two race weekends” in the 2024 Formula 1 campaign.
Red Bull’s rear wing profile isn’t akin to the ultra-low drag specification developed by its rivals and this has put Verstappen at a significant pace disadvantage at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
This is a development choice chosen by Red Bull since the introduction of the ground effect rule cycle which Verstappen isn’t wholly on board with.
READ MORE – Red Bull admits to rear wing blunder for F1 Las Vegas GP
After taking fifth in qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen explained how Red Bull’s rear wing choice hurts the team at Monza and Sin City.
“We opted to not make [a low drag rear wing],” Verstappen told select media including Motorsport Week.
“We don’t have one. So this is already from 2022. I think we just never thought that we would run it that low.
“And then with the budget cap, you choose your priorities and we shifted that.
“Would I have liked to have a lower downforce wing? Yeah, for sure. Or at least a different shape. A more efficient shape.
“But it’s something that we’ll look at. But on the other hand, there’s only one more year left with these rules.
“And I don’t know if it makes sense. But for me at least, it feels a bit like we throw away two race weekends like this.”
Verstappen’s Las Vegas GP fight with Gasly and McLaren
Verstappen has Mercedes’ George Russell, both Ferraris and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly ahead of him for Saturday’s night race in Vegas.
Title rival Lando Norris is right behind as is 10th-placed Lewis Hamilton.
Given his straight-line deficiencies, Verstappen thinks the Mercedes and Ferraris are out of reach, with his battle likely coming with Gasly and the McLarens.
“Well, hopefully of course I can fight with an Alpine,” he said.
“I don’t think at the moment I can fight with Ferrari or Mercedes. They’re too quick.
“And of course Lewis is starting P10, so he will move forward.
“And with McLaren, I don’t know. Both of us were struggling a bit in the long run.
“But they made some changes, we made some changes. So we have to wait and see how that will go.”
With a fourth tile his if he beats Norris in the Las Vegas GP, Verstappen could take solace from outqualifying the McLaren driver.
“It’s nice today,” he said. “But it’s more important tomorrow.”
READ MORE – Max Verstappen: Red Bull issues not ‘suddenly fixed’ after Brazil GP victory
