Unlike Silverstone, Red Bull struggled more with Pirelli tires in Barcelona.
It was Helmut Marko, the motorsport consultant, who revealed that what handicapped the RB16 in Spain was the overheating of the tires, especially at the rear. This prevented Max Verstappen from further attacking Lewis Hamilton at the front of the race.
“We have completed our analyzes and concluded that we have been performing less than the expected level possible in Barcelona. On Friday we were in the pace of the Mercedes, but during the Grand Prix both types of rubber used (soft and mids) on Max’s car overheated in the back. That’s what caused us to slow down on all three stints, “ explains the Austrian.
With good rear axle settings, Marko thought “convinced Max could have kept pace with Lewis Hamilton. At least put pressure on him. But overtaking him, I doubt it on such a circuit. We maximized the result if we did not maximize the performance.”
To resolve this issue, Red Bull is actively working on the suspension of the RB16.
“Yes, that’s the root of one of our wind tunnel and runway correlation issues. It’s a bit unpredictable and the data isn’t fully reliable yet. But we’re working hard on that and new parts. will arrive in Belgium, to improve the stability of the car. We still believe in it, we are not yet in the middle of the season. “
Does he think the Honda engine will be able to keep up with the Mercedes at Spa-Francorchamps and at Monza?
“In the race, without a doubt. In qualifying, not yet. We have to see if the ‘party’ mode will be abolished at Spa or at Monza, we do not know yet. In theory, on the engine side, these two races are more difficult for us, but we have always managed to do well despite everything, especially at Spa. Last year Max was fast but he crashed at the start. The objective will still be to be at least on the heels of the Mercedes. “
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