Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

Top 10 Le Mans Ferraris ranked: Testa Rossa, P4, 499P and more

Feature
WEC
Top 10 Le Mans Ferraris ranked: Testa Rossa, P4, 499P and more

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix

Feature
Formula 1
Monaco GP
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix

Alonso slams 2026 F1 cars as “worst ever” in Monaco

Formula 1
Monaco GP
Alonso slams 2026 F1 cars as “worst ever” in Monaco

F1 Monaco GP: Hamilton heads Ferrari 1-2 from Verstappen in FP2

Formula 1
Monaco GP
F1 Monaco GP: Hamilton heads Ferrari 1-2 from Verstappen in FP2

F1 Monaco GP: Leclerc leads Ferrari 1-2 in first practice, Hadjar and Alonso suffer crashes

Formula 1
Monaco GP
F1 Monaco GP: Leclerc leads Ferrari 1-2 in first practice, Hadjar and Alonso suffer crashes

Audi responds to F1's future engine plans: "We don't have problems with V8s"

Formula 1
Monaco GP
Audi responds to F1's future engine plans: "We don't have problems with V8s"

LIVE: F1 Monaco GP live commentary and updates - Leclerc tops FP1, Hadjar and Alonso suffer crashes

Formula 1
Monaco GP
LIVE: F1 Monaco GP live commentary and updates - Leclerc tops FP1, Hadjar and Alonso suffer crashes

LIVE: F1 Monaco GP commentary and updates - Hamilton leads Leclerc in red-flagged FP2

Formula 1
Monaco GP
LIVE: F1 Monaco GP commentary and updates - Hamilton leads Leclerc in red-flagged FP2
Formula 1 Bahrain GP

Engine mode hid Red Bull's real pace in Bahrain F1 practice

Max Verstappen believes engine mode variations were a big factor behind Red Bull's low-key FP2 session at Formula 1's Bahrain Grand Prix.

Filip Cleeren
Filip Cleeren
Edited:
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20
Max Verstappen finished half a second adrift in sixth in Thursday's FP2, which was held in similar night-time conditions as qualifying and the race, with team-mate Sergio Perez a further three tenths behind in 10th.
Meanwhile, Mercedes stole the headlines with a 1-2 for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. But while Red Bull admits its qualifying pace is not looking as strong as it would have liked, Verstappen believes lower engines modes are responsible for the gap to Hamilton.
"I think it was not too bad, it was very close," Verstappen said. "Maybe some people around us already turned up the engine a bit in terms of top speed.
"I don't say everyone around us did that, but a few did, so I'm not too worried about the gap to P1, for example. But it's going to be very close in qualifying, so that's going to be very nice."
When team advisor Marko was asked by Autosport if Red Bull was on the bottom end of engine mapping compared to its rivals, he replied: "Yes. Not everybody is using the same engine mapping, so we are not worried.
"Today it didn't come as easy as during the tests. The long run was good, but qualifying will be very tight."
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Photo by: Erik Junius

Mercedes and Ferrari both particularly impressed with one-lap speed, while Verstappen says he hadn't yet been able to hit the sweet spot on the RB20's balance.
But amid all the excitement over a tighter grid in qualifying, Red Bull still looked ominously dominant in race simulations, which has long been its focus on grand prix weekends.
"There were a few little balance issues from front and rear, but nothing big," he explained.
"It's just about trying to find that sweet spot. Especially around here with the rough tarmac, once you find that sweet spot you just pick up time and that's what we'll try to focus on.
Read Also:
"It's not too far away, just trying to get into it and feel a little bit happier with the car. But you also want to focus a bit on the long run because that's where the car really needs to work.
"Of course, qualifying is also important but we need to make sure the car is in good shape for the race."
Additional reporting by Ronald Vording

Share Or Save This Story

Previous article Wolff supports idea of “reset” to Formula 1 rules on team alliances
Next article Ben Sulayem and Domenicali to meet to discuss Horner situation

Top Comments
More from
Filip Cleeren

F1 to race in Las Vegas until 2037 after signing 10-year extension

Formula 1
Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
F1 to race in Las Vegas until 2037 after signing 10-year extension

Why F1's sprint format needs a shake-up

Formula 1
Formula 1
Why F1's sprint format needs a shake-up

Mercedes pulls out of Alpine F1 share talks over asking price

Formula 1
Formula 1
Mercedes pulls out of Alpine F1 share talks over asking price
More from
Max Verstappen

The 'lessons learned' at Red Bull after Verstappen Canada GP criticism

Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
The 'lessons learned' at Red Bull after Verstappen Canada GP criticism

Red Bull reacts to Verstappen’s criticism – why ‘I told you’ moments are needed

Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Red Bull reacts to Verstappen’s criticism – why ‘I told you’ moments are needed

How Ferrari and Audi could decide Verstappen's F1 future

Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
How Ferrari and Audi could decide Verstappen's F1 future
More from
Red Bull Racing

Do penalty points still serve any purpose in F1?

Formula 1
Formula 1
Do penalty points still serve any purpose in F1?

Red Bull went against Verstappen's set-up feedback: “Sometimes they have to feel it”

Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Red Bull went against Verstappen's set-up feedback: “Sometimes they have to feel it”

Where you can find the best battles of F1 2026

Formula 1
Formula 1
Where you can find the best battles of F1 2026

Latest news

Top 10 Le Mans Ferraris ranked: Testa Rossa, P4, 499P and more

Feature
WEC
Top 10 Le Mans Ferraris ranked: Testa Rossa, P4, 499P and more

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix

Feature
Formula 1
Monaco GP
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix

Alonso slams 2026 F1 cars as “worst ever” in Monaco

Formula 1
Monaco GP
Alonso slams 2026 F1 cars as “worst ever” in Monaco

F1 Monaco GP: Hamilton heads Ferrari 1-2 from Verstappen in FP2

Formula 1
Monaco GP
F1 Monaco GP: Hamilton heads Ferrari 1-2 from Verstappen in FP2