(Motorsport-Total.com) – The Friday before the Italian Grand Prix (follow live here in the ticker) was anything but smooth for Red Bull. In advance, they had hoped that the track layout in Monza would suit the team better than Zandvoort, but after Friday’s practice both Red Bulls were behind a Racing Bull (Arvid Lindblad) and a Haas (Oliver Bearman).
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Max Verstappen gave up his seat in the first free practice to Ayumu Iwasa. However, when he took the wheel of the RB22 in the second session, the list of issues was long. The four-time world champion struggled with the brakes, lack of rear downforce, and a car that had severe bouncing problems after setup changes.
Technical director Pierre Wache admits that Red Bull still has a lot of work to do if they want to turn the race weekend around at the “Temple of Speed.” “I think we clearly have a balance problem with the car, that’s the main thing,” Wache says regarding Verstappen’s complaints over the radio.
“Honestly, it’s a bit like in Zandvoort, and we’re trying to understand where the problem lies. We’re trying to fix it in different ways through setup and vehicle components.”
Balance problems due to upgrades?
The latter could indicate that the balance problems in Monza are at least partly related to the upgrades listed in the FIA document – no matter how small the changes to the floor flap (Bib) and front wing may be. According to Wache, however, the problem is more fundamental.
“No, I mean that we will evaluate some components and then have to make some decisions between different parts that we have had for several races. I think we need to make a few decisions there.”
According to Wache, it did not help that Verstappen missed the first free practice this weekend, which means Red Bull has somewhat less data and feedback from him than usual.
“The balance problem is the main thing we’re working on. It doesn’t help if Max doesn’t drive in FP1 and only gets in the car in FP2. We have less time to react, but now we have to react for FP3.”
Another problem in practice
This applies especially to vehicle balance, although there is still room for improvement in energy management. Verstappen already said on media day that Red Bull is certainly not the benchmark in this area – that is, managing the limited energy amount on tracks with high energy demand.
Iwasa explains that Red Bull also encountered some teething problems in this area on Friday.
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“Actually, during our preparation in the lap before the fast lap, we discovered something that we shouldn’t have found there. But that’s good, it’s a good lesson for the rest of the weekend as a team,” said the Japanese driver.
“It was more related to the energy stuff. I think everyone is trying to find a better direction, that’s just part of this track. But it was good, because if we hadn’t seen it in FP1, we might have noticed it later.”
The 24-year-old Japanese driver immediately felt the same balance problems as Verstappen: “Yes, I said the same after FP1. Basically, the car feels quite good at low speed, but at high speed it was quite difficult to drive – like a kind of inconsistent vehicle balance.”
“Honestly, I didn’t have many laps in FP1, so I didn’t reach the car’s limit, but I still felt similar restrictions as he did,” said Iwasa.
Little confidence in a Monza turnaround
Red Bull has built a strong track record in recent years of turning difficult race weekends around. However, Wache says that doesn’t give him much confidence for this weekend.
“That’s a good question. I’m never confident, otherwise you never achieve anything. But that’s exactly what we’re trying, and the whole team is working hard to make it happen.” The aspect of energy management is not an immediate concern for Wache, but there is still plenty to do on balance tonight – both in Monza and back at the factory in Milton Keynes.
Energy management should not be a worry though: “I think that’s exactly what free practice is for: to uncover the problem and then fix it.”
“In this respect, it’s a normal weekend, but for Max and me, balance is the biggest concern.”
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