(Motorsport-Total.com) – After the free practice sessions for the Belgian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen is anything but dissatisfied. “For me, it went quite well, I actually had no major problems,” was his assessment on Friday. “The car was in a good window.”
Read more Red Bull reveals: That was the problem with the «Macarena» rear wing
While the four-time world champion was able to finish FT1 in first place, he ended FT2 in third. In the standings, Verstappen was just half a second behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli. “Probably in FT2 the actual gap will be a bit clearer, but that is nothing shocking or unexpected,” said the Red Bull driver.
“It is also quite a demanding track in terms of energy management. It seems we are a bit slower on the straights than some of our competitors, but in terms of balance, it’s going quite well.”
Formula 1 Quiz
How many times has Max Verstappen started from pole position in Formula 1?
Test yourself now in the Formula 1 quiz and compare yourself with other users
However, the second free practice did not go completely smoothly for Verstappen. Although the infamous Macarena wing, which recently caused problems in Spielberg and Silverstone, is not being used this weekend, the 71-time Grand Prix winner struggled with his gearbox.
“My God, these damn gear changes,” were his words over the radio. “Unbelievable, why are they so terrible? This is unacceptable, my God!”
Read more NitrOlympX from VIP perspective: Experience drag racing on a new level
When asked about the gearbox problems after the session, Verstappen replied: “I am always quite sensitive about such things because I want to work on it and improve it. I think it was due to a software update or downgrade that the gear changes had to get used to. By the end [of the session], it was already a bit better.”
The 28-year-old’s conclusion is accordingly positive: “Some things worked well, while sometimes they didn’t, but overall the car was in a good window.”
Technical director Pierre Wache remains cautious and says: “[The balance with Max] is a good starting point, but still, after what I heard, I’m not sure he is satisfied. We still have a lot to improve in terms of balance, especially in short runs and maybe also with tire degradation.”
Teammate Isack Hadjar was able to secure fifth place at the end of FT2, just three tenths behind Verstappen. The 21-year-old will most likely have to start the Belgian Grand Prix from 22nd place, as new engine parts were installed on the Red Bull driver’s car for the race weekend in Spa-Francorchamps.
Read more Spa Friday: Best time for Antonelli, fine for Ferrari