Max Verstappen says he has low expectations for the Austrian Grand Prix after his automobile’s efficiency went away from him and he certified seventh.
Crimson Bull got here into its dwelling race with hopes of difficult close to the entrance, because it introduced an improve and has historically gone properly on its dwelling circuit. After showing to be a step behind McLaren all through observe however nonetheless inside hanging distance, Verstappen was then unable to place collectively clear laps as he complained of an absence of grip in qualifying and ended up seventh on the grid.
“I feel yesterday already was not good over one lap, the long term wasn’t good and immediately FP3 was just a little bit extra constructive however nonetheless off,” Verstappen stated. “Then in qualifying principally every thing felt dangerous. Each nook was a wrestle; I simply didn’t have the steadiness. It was both understeer or oversteer. Even each single lap that I did I had a little bit of a unique habits from the automobile in order that’s not preferrred.
“I don’t wish to discuss concerning the upgrades as a result of I feel it was not solely the upgrades that brought about all this. Simply out of the blue we actually took a step again, which isn’t what you need from FP3 into quali.
“We didn’t contact the automobile…. Simply very tiny little modifications that shouldn’t affect the automobile steadiness. That’s all manageable however out of the blue with the upper observe temps and extra wind, it simply fell aside.”
Given how the automobile was dealing with and the parc ferme laws proscribing modifications to the setup, Verstappen believes he’s in for a troublesome afternoon on Sunday.
“Not loads [is expected]. To not combat up entrance, for certain. The warmer circumstances don’t assist as properly. Thus far this 12 months we’ve not been extra aggressive within the race than qualifying as properly. We’ll see what we are able to do tomorrow.
“I didn’t count on it to be this dangerous in qualifying however I feel nobody did within the staff. In order that’s one thing now we have to investigate.”