During the Chinese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen experienced a notable improvement in pace during the latter half of the race. After a challenging start, where he was overtaken by both Ferraris and dropped to sixth position, Verstappen managed to recover and finish in fourth place.
Post-race, Verstappen attributed this mid-race surge to an unexpected increase in tire grip. He explained that while the car’s balance remained unchanged, the enhanced grip allowed him to close the gap on competitors ahead. He stated, “I suddenly picked up tyre grip, not balance, that was the same. I had more tyre grip where others maybe plateaued a bit more and the lap times were more promising for us at least and also more fun to drive.”
Despite the improved performance in the second stint, Verstappen acknowledged ongoing challenges with the RB21 car, particularly in achieving consistent balance and managing tire degradation. He noted that while he feels in top driving form, the fundamental pace of the car needs enhancement to compete effectively with front-runners like McLaren and Ferrari.
Looking ahead, Verstappen expressed hope that the insights gained from this race would assist the team in addressing these issues in future Grands Prix.
