After the Formula 1 Australian GP, Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar projected Red Bull Racing’s next challenges, focusing on the Sprint race in Shanghai.
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“It was good to be back racing and it was promising to see our good return in the race in Melbourne. The team did a great job to get where we are, but there is still a lot to do and many lessons we can take from this race,” said Verstappen.
The Dutchman highlighted the issue of tire wear, which impacted performance in Melbourne and could be repeated in China: “We were particularly impacted by tire degradation, which can also be a problem at this circuit, and managing them is something we can look at. We will continue to collect data and work to improve the car, but we are still learning and want to enter this week more competitive.”
Verstappen also commented on the challenges of the weekend with the Sprint format in China: “We will have less time to work on the car setup, so we need to start well. The circuit is quite unique, with a challenging layout, a variety of corners, and many overtaking opportunities,” concluded the four-time champion.
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For Isack Hadjar, who made his debut for the team in Melbourne, the experience was positive, despite the final result: “Debuting for the team in Melbourne was a special moment for me and Saturday was the perfect start. Unfortunately, the weekend didn’t end the way we wanted, but we are motivated to come back stronger this week in Shanghai. I want to deliver a good performance throughout the weekend and continue testing myself against the best. With the Sprint format, there are even more opportunities for strong performance and that’s what I’m going to look for,” he added.
Red Bull Racing arrives in China with a focus on continuous learning, strategic adjustments, and making the most of the opportunities that the Sprint race format offers.
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