Tag: Red Bull

Russell Narrowly Holds Off Verstappen to Win Chaotic Azerbaijan GP
Key Highlights
- George Russell secured his third victory of the 2025 season and eighth career win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, holding off Max Verstappen by a mere 0.1 seconds in a dramatic finish.
- The race featured seven retirements—including Lando Norris, Alex Albon, and both Aston Martin drivers—and three Safety Car periods that reshuffled the order and created a chaotic finale.
- Red Bull achieved a double podium with Isack Hadjar claiming third, while Kimi Antonelli recovered from a qualifying crash to finish fifth from 16th on the grid.
Russell Survives Verstappen Assault to Win in Baku

George Russell converted a dominant pole position into a hard-fought victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, crossing the line just one-tenth of a second ahead of a charging Max Verstappen. The Mercedes driver controlled the opening stint after a superb launch, building a lead that peaked near ten seconds before a series of Safety Car interventions erased his advantage and set up a thrilling final-lap duel. The win marks Russell’s third of the season and his first since the Austrian Grand Prix in Round 8.

Qualifying Masterclass Sets the Stage

The foundation for victory was laid on Saturday when Russell delivered what the team described as a “superlative lap” in Q3, securing pole position by a massive 0.837-second margin over Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari—the largest gap of the year. The front row was completed by Oscar Piastri and Isack Hadjar on the second row, with Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton lining up behind. The session was not without drama: championship leader Kimi Antonelli crashed heavily at Turn 1 in Q1, damaging his car and consigning him to a P16 start, significantly adrift of his dominant teammate. Pre-race penalties further shuffled the grid, with Carlos Sainz demoted five places for a yellow flag infringement and both Aston Martin drivers relegated to the back row for power unit element changes.

Safety Cars and Chaos Rewrite the Race

The Grand Prix was defined by attrition and intervention. An early stoppage for Lance Stroll’s water pressure issue was a mere prelude. On Lap 9, Alex Albon locked up and hit the barriers at Turn 6, bringing out the first full Safety Car and prompting a round of pit stops. Red Bull executed a flawless double stack to maintain Hadjar ahead of Verstappen. The restart saw Verstappen finally pass Piastri for second, but chaos erupted immediately behind: Franco Colapinto locked up at Turn 1, colliding with Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly and collecting Norris in a three-car pileout that neutralized the race again.

A second restart handed Russell a cleaner getaway, but disaster struck Piastri when he, too, locked up at Turn 1 while running third, spinning to the rear of the field. Amid the turmoil, Antonelli methodically carved through the order, passing Hamilton for fifth with eight laps remaining. At the front, Verstappen hounded Russell relentlessly, the pair separated by mere tenths. A late yellow flag for Valtteri Bottas’s crash threatened to freeze the order, but the race stayed green for a final-lap shootout. Verstappen pulled alongside down the main straight but could not complete the pass.

Red Bull Podium and Antonelli’s Damage Limitation

Behind the leading duo, Hadjar held on for a career-best third place, delivering Red Bull a double podium. Leclerc finished a lonely fourth for Ferrari, while Antonelli’s recovery drive from P16 to P5 stood as one of the drives of the day, limiting the championship damage from his qualifying error. Hamilton crossed the line sixth for Ferrari, ahead of a fierce battle for seventh where Arvid Lindblad edged Esteban Ocon at the line. Haas celebrated a double points finish for the first time since Monaco, with Ollie Bearman ninth and Carlos Sainz tenth. Nico Hulkenberg and Liam Lawson missed out in eleventh and twelfth, the latter left frustrated after contact with Racing Bulls teammate Hadjar, who sarcastically remarked, I love getting taken out by my team mate. That’s pretty sick.

Why This Matters

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix underscored the extreme competitiveness of the 2025 field, where track position and tyre management are amplified by the Baku City Circuit’s unforgiving walls. Russell’s ability to manage a failing turbo issue on the final laps—revealing post-race that when the yellow flag came out, I lifted off the power, and when I went back, I had no turbo, so then I had no power—highlights the mechanical fragility underpinning the sporting spectacle. For Red Bull, the double podium signals strong race pace despite Verstappen’s early tyre struggles, while Mercedes will take confidence from Russell’s control and Antonelli’s resilience. The high attrition rate—seven non-finishers including both Aston Martins and both Alpines—emphasizes the premium on reliability as the championship heads into a critical triple-header sequence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

George Russell won the race for Mercedes, securing his third victory of the season and eighth career win, finishing 0.1 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen.

How many drivers retired from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Seven drivers failed to finish: Alex Albon, Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, and Valtteri Bottas.

What is the next race on the 2025 Formula 1 calendar?

The next stop is the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, scheduled for October 2–4, as part of a triple-header sequence.
09/26/2026
Max Verstappen Surprises Himself with Strong Karting Challenge Performance
Key Highlights
- Max Verstappen overtook all 100 amateur competitors in just 14 laps (37 minutes) at Red Bull’s “Max vs 100” karting challenge at Silverstone, well under the 30-lap limit.
- The four-time Formula 1 world champion eliminated 64 rivals on the opening lap and 84 by lap five, demonstrating the reaction speed and racecraft gap between an F1 driver and amateur karters.
- Verstappen praised Red Bull’s creative event culture and teased future challenges, suggesting “maybe 200” amateurs as a potential next step.
Verstappen Dominates Silverstone Karting Spectacle in Record Time

Red Bull’s latest showcase event, “Max vs 100,” unfolded on Wednesday at a purpose-built circuit combining Silverstone’s karting facility with sections of the historic Grand Prix layout, including the iconic Brooklands corner. The format pitted Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time Formula 1 World Champion, against a field of 100 amateur drivers drawn from content creators, motorsport industry personnel, and athletes. Starting from the very back of the grid, Verstappen was tasked with overtaking every competitor within a 30-lap window. He completed the objective in just 14 laps, covering the distance in 37 minutes.

Opening Lap Masterclass Defines the Challenge

The disparity in skill was immediately evident at lights out. Verstappen’s reaction speed allowed him to gain a dozen positions before Turn 1, slicing through the pack with surgical precision. By the end of the opening tour, he had dispatched 64 of the 100 competitors. That number rose to 84 by the completion of lap five, effectively deciding the challenge long before the halfway mark of the allotted 30 laps.

Reflecting on the start, Verstappen admitted the grid position initially daunted him. “When I was walking to the grid and saw where I had to start, I was like, ‘oof, that’s very far back,’” he said. “But after my first lap I was like, ‘ah, I think we’re alright, I think we’re good’. It was mainly just depending on the first two laps. If I clear the first two laps well, then, yeah, what can it be, 15 or 20 laps? But the first lap went a bit better than expected, so that helps a lot.”

Instinct, Trust, and Respect in the Melee

Navigating a rolling chicane of 100 karts demands more than raw pace; it requires instantaneous decision-making. Verstappen described the process as pure instinct. “You just act on instinct whatever happens,” he added. “When the lights go out, you kind of just see where the gaps are and then you also need to trust the people around you that they don’t do anything crazy. To be honest, they didn’t. They were very excited with each other, but they were actually quite nice to me. So they didn’t need to crash into me or whatever. But you just act really quickly when you see everything unfold in front of you.”

The Dutchman’s commentary highlights a critical dynamic: the amateurs’ enthusiasm manifested as mutual competition rather than obstruction of the protagonist, allowing Verstappen to execute clean overtakes rather than survive collisions.

A Decade of Red Bull Spectacle and the Promise of More

Wednesday’s event continues a tradition of unconventional challenges orchestrated by Red Bull since Verstappen joined the program in 2016. Previous iterations have included GT car tests and a memorable caravan-towing race alongside former teammate Daniel Ricciardo. The Austrian energy drink giant has cultivated a brand identity around such “outlandish” spectacles, blending marketing reach with genuine driver engagement.

Verstappen, now 28, expressed genuine affection for this side of his commercial duties. “With Red Bull, they always come up with some crazy, fun things – it suits me. I can really be myself. The way it was organised today, I know that it requires a lot of effort to be able to do something like this and inviting so many people over, but it’s a lot of fun to be a part of that.” He added a reflective note on his tenure: “Sometimes I get reminded of what I actually did in the past and I’m like, ‘oh my god, did I really do that?’. It’s fun and it’s definitely one of the best one out there. How many times do you have the opportunity to create something like this? Racing against a hundred other people. I think it’s very cool, only Red Bull can do something like this.”

Looking ahead, the champion half-joked about raising the stakes: “I said before, I was like, ‘maybe 200′” amateurs for a future edition.

Why This Matters

The “Max vs 100” event serves multiple strategic purposes beyond entertainment. For Red Bull Racing, it reinforces the team’s reputation for innovative fan engagement and content creation, leveraging Verstappen’s global star power and authentic personality. The format—streamed widely across social platforms—generates millions of impressions at a fraction of traditional media buy costs. For Verstappen, it offers a low-stakes competitive outlet that sharpens reflexes and racecraft without the physical and logistical burden of formal testing, which is heavily restricted by FIA regulations. The event also underscores the growing symbiosis between elite motorsport and the creator economy; by inviting influencers and athletes into the competitive arena, Red Bull bridges the gap between hardcore racing audiences and newer, younger demographics. As Formula 1 expands its global footprint, such bespoke events become critical touchpoints for brand retention and audience growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many laps did Max Verstappen need to overtake all 100 competitors?

Verstappen completed the challenge in 14 laps, well within the 30-lap limit set by the event organizers.

What was the composition of the 100 amateur drivers?

The field consisted of content creators, motorsport personnel, and athletes invited by Red Bull for the spectacle.

Has Verstappen done similar events with Red Bull before?

Yes. Since joining Red Bull in 2016, he has participated in various challenges, including GT car tests and a caravan-towing race with former teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
09/17/2026
How Max Verstappen Won the ‘Biggest Race’ of His Motorsport Career

Max Verstappen Dominates Red Bull’s ‘Max vs 100’ Karting Spectacular at Silverstone

Just days after securing a podium finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen swapped his RB20 for a go-kart to tackle Red Bull’s ambitious Max vs 100 challenge at Silverstone.

The Challenge: Overtake 100 Rivals from the Back of the Grid

Held on Wednesday evening, the event tasked Verstappen with overtaking and eliminating 100 competitors—comprising Red Bull athletes, content creators, and other guests—from the very back of the grid within 30 laps or 75 minutes. Red Bull, renowned for high-concept stunts across sports, billed it as the world’s biggest go-kart race. The action was broadcast live on Disney+, amplified across social media, and produced with the gravity of a headline Grand Prix.

Following two practice days overseen by Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad, the serious business began when Verstappen arrived to sample the 2.5 km layout blending Silverstone’s karting venue with sections of the F1 circuit. While Verstappen’s outright pace was never in doubt, the logistical puzzle of carving through a 101-kart field from last to first remained an open question.

“It’s a long way! A very long way!”

Verstappen smiled during a pre-race interview as he walked the length of the grid, the scale of the challenge visibly dawning on him moments before the 18:00 start.

Verstappen’s P101 to P1 Charge

From the moment the lights went out, Verstappen shuffled forward aggressively, ducking and diving past a gaggle of rivals into Turn 1. He narrowly avoided the first-corner bottleneck and strategically used the grass to bypass spinners. His rapid progress continued through Sectors 1 and 2 until a Full Course Yellow neutralized the race to clear further incidents.

Initial estimates suggested he might have passed 20 to 50 karts, but the timing screens revealed a staggering reality: Verstappen had rocketed to 37th position, a gain of 64 places on the opening tour.

“Not a bad first lap, then!”

Verstappen chimed over the radio upon hearing the news.

Once racing resumed, the Dutchman’s ascent was relentless: 25th by Lap 4, 10th by Lap 6, and fifth by Lap 7. The field dwindled until only three karts remained ahead—those of F1 journalist Jacky Martens, YouTuber Zac Alsop, and Red Bull Ford Powertrains technician Lewis Osler. Despite light-hearted radio banter among the leaders about forming a roadblock, Verstappen dispatched them all within 35 minutes and 14 laps.

“That was simply lovely,”

Verstappen chuckled after eliminating the final kart, adding:

“it’s my first win of the year, so I’ll take this one!”

Post-Race Reflections: ‘A Hundred Is a Lot!’

Speaking to select media including F1.com, Verstappen reflected on the unique experience:

“I grew up racing a lot in karts, then because of your formula career you don’t really get a lot of time racing them anymore, so it’s always nice to go back and have a go at it.

“I got three or four laps on the track, and that was basically my practice. Before that, it’s always very hard to know what to expect, so it’s also better then not to overthink the situation, and just feel it once you sit in the kart. But I think the most that I’ve been on a track with is like 40 karts, maybe, so a hundred is a lot!”

Verstappen’s fastest lap of 2m 20.673s was 2.6 seconds clear of Martens’ best (2m 23.327s). He explained the strategic calculus behind the victory:

“I knew my lap times when I did the prep laps, and I knew the Qualifying lap times of the others, so I knew that it was possible [to win], but it also really depended on my first two laps,”

said Verstappen.

“They went better than expected, so that of course helped a lot.

“Before the race, I said, ‘Let’s be bold and say that I will pass 40 people in Lap 1’, and then they told me [what it was] at the end. It was a good effort. Some people got really excited on the new [extended] part of the track, and there was a bit of a road blockage going on, but I managed to swerve around it, and it worked out well.

“When the lights go out, you kind of just see where the gaps are, and then you also kind of need to trust a few people around you, that they don’t do anything crazy. To be honest, they didn’t. They were very excited with each other, but they were actually quite nice to me! They weren’t crashing into me or whatever.”

“He Sees Something We Don’t See” – Race Director Analysis

Track Designer and Race Director David Terrien was among those left impressed by Verstappen’s spatial awareness and decision-making in heavy traffic.

“Going through the traffic of such a big field, no one has done it,”

Terrien commented.

“There’s never been a karting race with so many karts. So, even Max was questioning himself just before the start, how he could go through the traffic.

“When you look at the replay, he picked the right spots. Every time there was a gap, he went for it. He was on the right side of the track when there was a crash going on the other side. I think that’s what makes the difference with Max – his starts, and his reaction time. He showed his skills in all aspects.

“I was talking to Max’s race engineer and we were looking at the replay of the start. He sees something we don’t see. He sees a gap that’s going to open, and it’s not open yet. So, I think that’s a race vision. That’s something he has that most of the drivers don’t have.”

Another ‘Crazy, Fun’ Red Bull Memory

For Verstappen, the event joins a growing catalogue of unconventional Red Bull challenges—such as driving an F1 car down a mountain and racing caravans with Daniel Ricciardo—that blend competition with entertainment.

“Sometimes I get reminded of what I actually did in the past, and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, did I really do that?’”

Verstappen said.

“It’s definitely one of the best ones out there. I mean, how many times do you have the opportunity to create something like this? Racing against a hundred other people from other disciplines or sports.

“I think it’s great that with Red Bull, they always come up with some crazy, fun things, and it suits me as well. I think also the way that it was organised today… I know it requires a lot of effort to be able to do something like this, and it’s a lot of fun to be a part of that.”

Could ‘Max vs 200’ Be Next?

Asked if the concept could become a tradition, Verstappen grinned:

“That’s what I said! I was like, ‘Maybe 200’, and then we’ll see again,”

he responded, before signing off from the press conference to savor what will undoubtedly rank among his most memorable victories.

09/17/2026
How to Watch ‘Max vs 100’: Streaming Guide for New Competition Series
Key Highlights
- Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen competes against 100 amateur drivers in Red Bull’s “Max vs 100” go-karting event at Silverstone on September 16.
- Verstappen starts at the rear of a 101-kart grid and has 30 laps or 55–75 minutes to overtake every rival; amateurs qualify in five groups of 20 to set the grid order.
- The race streams live on ESPN via Disney+ from 6 p.m. local time, featuring Mario Kart–inspired graphics, cinematic drone footage, and commentary by comedian Mo Gilligan.
Verstappen Returns to Karting Roots in Massive Head-to-100 Showdown

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen is trading his Red Bull Racing RB20 for an identical 85 kg go-kart today at Silverstone, taking on 100 challengers in a one-off spectacle branded Max vs 100. Organized by Red Bull, the event pits the Dutch driver against a mixed field of athletes, celebrities, content creators, and everyday fans on a purpose-built layout of the Silverstone kart circuit. Verstappen, a four-time F1 title holder, described the outing as a natural return to the discipline that forged his race craft.

“In go-karts you learn all the basics: starts, defending, overtaking,” said Verstappen. “Of course, I spent a long period of my life go-karting, so it’s always nice to return,

“It’s about understanding the grip of the go-kart. I’ve done so many years in go-karting that you quite naturally get back into things.”

Format: One Pro, 100 Amateurs, 30 Laps to Conquer the Field

The competition structure is designed for maximum drama. After a qualifying session at 2:20 p.m. local time—split into five segments of 20 drivers each, with each karter allowed a single flying lap—the 100 amateurs will line up ahead of Verstappen, who starts dead last. He then has 30 laps, capped at 55 to 75 minutes, to pass every opponent. Each driver he overtakes is immediately eliminated, meaning the contest could finish well before the full distance.

To level the playing field slightly, amateurs may deploy one “fast lap” during the first half of the race, using a track shortcut to gain ground. For the final 15 laps, however, that tactical option belongs exclusively to Verstappen. All karts are mechanically identical, and the reigning champion can communicate directly with his rivals via radio throughout the event.

Star-Studded Amateur Grid Blends Sport, Entertainment, and Social Media

The published entry list reads like a crossover episode of British pop culture. Confirmed participants include content creators Zac Alsop and Jack McDermott (known professionally as Pieface), 2019 Love Island winner Amber Gill, and ultramarathon runner Arda Saatci. The diverse roster underscores Red Bull’s intent to merge motorsport with broader entertainment audiences, turning a pure driving challenge into a viral-ready spectacle.

Broadcast Plan: Mario Kart Aesthetic Meets Live Sports Production

Qualifying will not be televised, but the main race airs live at 6 p.m. local time on ESPN via Disney+, Red Bull’s commercial partner, with a pre-event show beginning at 5 p.m. Comedian Mo Gilligan hosts the coverage, which promises a heavy Mario Kart vibe: game-inspired on-screen graphics, cinematic drone footage, and a production style built for social clips as much as traditional broadcast. The visual language is deliberately playful, reinforcing the event’s positioning at the intersection of elite sport and mass-market entertainment.

Why This Matters

Max vs 100 represents a growing trend in motorsport: leveraging driver personality and accessible formats to reach audiences beyond the traditional F1 paddock. By stripping away the technological complexity of Formula 1 machinery and placing a world champion in identical equipment against relatable opponents, Red Bull creates a narrative that is instantly understandable—can the best driver on the planet beat 100 people at once? The event also serves as a proof of concept for future “pro vs. mass participation” spectacles, potentially opening new revenue streams through streaming rights, sponsorship integrations, and short-form content distribution. For Verstappen, it reinforces his brand as a racer’s racer who never lost touch with the grassroots of the sport.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where can I watch Max vs 100 live?

The race streams live on ESPN via Disney+ starting at 6 p.m. local time (Silverstone) on Wednesday, September 16, with a pre-show at 5 p.m. Qualifying at 2:20 p.m. is not broadcast.

How does the elimination format work?

Verstappen starts last in a 101-kart field. Every amateur he overtakes is instantly eliminated. He has 30 laps or a maximum of 55–75 minutes to clear the entire field; the event ends early if he passes everyone before the lap or time limit.

Who are some of the notable amateur participants?

The entry list includes British content creators Zac Alsop and Jack McDermott (Pieface), 2019 Love Island winner Amber Gill, and ultramarathon runner Arda Saatci, among athletes, celebrities, and fans selected through Red Bull’s entry process.
09/16/2026
F1 Teams Detail Madring Circuit Learnings from First Day of Running Ahead of Spanish Grand Prix

Formula 1 drivers and teams finally experienced the Madring circuit during Friday practice, and the new Madrid venue proved every bit as demanding as predicted. While simulations provided a baseline, the session revealed significant unknowns regarding car setup, power unit deployment, and, most critically, tyre management. Tyre graining emerged as the dominant talking point early in the first session.

Drivers Praise Layout but Highlight Precision Required

Overall driver feedback on the new circuit was positive, with many noting its unique blend of high-speed sections and tight, wall-lined corners.

Pierre Gasly, who finished the day 11th, described the track as exhilarating: “I actually really loved it. It was very exciting. It’s a track with a lot of adrenaline. At all the corners you kind of see the walls coming at you very quickly, and you’ve got to be extremely precise in your lines, how much you commit to the corner. It definitely has this type of like adrenaline element, which you don’t always find, but usually find on a street track. So, pretty cool. A lot of high-speed, which is unusual for a street track, and it’s kind of a mix between like Jeddah and Monaco all combined together. Always exciting to find a new track, and definitely very exciting driving-wise. Now, hopefully, in the race, we can still find opportunities to overtake.”

Oscar Piastri, seventh in FP2, emphasized the difficulty: “I would say honestly it’s more difficult than some tracks. There’s a lot of sections where you’re not really brushing up against the walls, you’re kind of turning or heading at them, and then you need to avoid them. So it makes things quite challenging. Definitely I think everyone is still getting up to speed. But when you get into a decent rhythm over one lap, it’s pretty enjoyable. In race running, it’s been a nightmare to try and manage the tyres with graining. So a lot of corners have been very difficult. It’s been an interesting day. I think we are struggling a little bit for pace. But yeah, hopefully we can find a bit more tomorrow.”

Tyre Graining Forces Strategy Rethink

Teams had anticipated graining on the fresh tarmac, but the severity in FP1 came as a shock, prompting immediate setup adjustments for the second session.

George Russell explained the scale of the issue: “We thought it was a possibility. It’s often a possibility on new tarmacs. The grip is very high, but you’re sliding quite aggressively. With the deg we had in FP1, a six-stop race would have been the fastest way! FP2 was slightly better, and I’m sure the race on Sunday will be better again. But that’s the biggest question mark.”

The tyre situation influenced run plans significantly. Most teams opted to save two sets of the C2 hard compound for the race, with only Audi utilizing them during Friday running, signalling that the hardest tyre will play a crucial strategic role on Sunday.

Setup Compromises Define Friday Workload

The circuit’s diverse corner profile — mixing high-speed sweeps with heavy braking zones and kerb-heavy chicanes — forced engineers to search for a delicate setup balance.

Ferrari Strong Out of the Box, Eyes on Qualifying

Ferrari appeared competitive from the outset of FP1, though Team Principal Fred Vasseur downplayed Friday pace in favour of qualifying readiness: “I think the good setup is the setup that will work in in quali, not in free practice. We know that we’ll have a huge track evolution even during the session. The most important is to anticipate the grip in Q3, and to be ready for Q3. It makes no sense to do the best in free practice, and not in quali. It’s a challenge that you have approximately all the types of corners of the season, and it’s a good exercise for the engineers. But at the end, it’s also difficult to estimate what will be the grip evolution between FP3 and quali, and even during quali. It means that energy deployment is complicated with the high-speed section, and I think what will be key is to estimate the pace in Q3.”

Charles Leclerc ended FP2 in second place, underscoring the SF-24’s early promise.

Red Bull and Audi Grapple with Ride and Energy Deployment

Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson were less satisfied with their Friday progress. Technical Director Pierre Wache echoed the sentiment that Friday dissatisfaction is preferable if it leads to qualifying solutions: “I think it’s better to not be happy during Friday! And there’s a lot of work to do on car setup, for sure. Mechanical grip, I think the ride is more challenging than what we thought. It’s not as smooth. On energy deployment, it’s clear that we have a lot of work to do there also. And the tyres grained maybe as expected – I think in FP2 we were a little bit better than FP1, and I think we have to continue in this route.”

Wache elaborated on the competing demands: “I think compromising between corner and deployment, some corners are full throttle, and putting some sliding on the tyres. That’s something we have to see. But yeah, it is a challenging one.”

The kerb-riding requirement adds another layer of complexity. Audi Sporting Director Inaki Rueda highlighted the fundamental aerodynamic trade-off: “It very difficult. So the main set-up trade that we have here is between running low and stiff for aero, because you have lots of high-speed corners. And usually these cars, the more stiff and low you get the aero platform, the better it is. But you have the trade-off of jumping the kerbs, like jumping the kerb in Turn 2. It’s a lot of lap time. We cannot not jump it, and of course for that you want a higher car, and more of a rolling car. And so that is where the trade-off is, and the answer is going to be difficult.”

09/11/2026