The F1 São Paulo GP began as a nightmare for Red Bull Racing Team Prinicipal Laurent Mekies when both drivers got knocked out in Q1 of qualifying. This marked the team’s first double Q1 elimination since 2006, as well as Max Verstappen’s first Q1 elimination since Sochi 2021.
Verstappen opted to start the F1 São Paulo GP from the pit lane despite qualifying P16. In one of the most impressive drives of the season, the Dutchman went on to score a podium finish, making up 16 positions during the race. However, the question of the car’s performance still remains — How did Red Bull Racing go from dominant performances after the summer break to a Q1 elimination in Brazil?
Mekies spoke to print media about the car’s enigmatic performance following the F1 São Paulo GP.
Struggling to predict car performance
Mekies admitted that Red Bull Racing are struggling to predict their car’s performance this season. Before the summer break, the team was comfortably P4 in the World Constructors’ Championship, with Verstappen 97 points behind World Drivers’ Championship leader.
Verstappen has scored a podium at every race following the summer break, taking home three wins. Following the F1 São Paulo GP, Red Bull Racing overtook Ferrari for P3 in the WCC, and Verstappen sits 49 points behind Lando Norris.
Mekies explained that the team did not expect their car to perform so strongly after the F1 São Paulo GP.
“We have been quite regularly wrong at predicting where tracks would be suiting us or not. We didn’t think Monza would be suiting us, we didn’t think Baku would be suiting us, we didn’t think Singapore would be suiting us.
“So honestly it’s not where the focus goes, because relative to the others it’s probably a bit too difficult.
But the focus is on ourselves to try to get it right.”
Mekies on finding car’s window at F1 São Paulo GP
Despite four strong races in a row following the summer break, Red Bull Racing appeared to lose their edge at the F1 Mexico City GP. Norris dominated the race weekend, finishing the race over 30s ahead of his competitors. The McLaren driver showed similar dominance across the F1 São Paulo GP weekend, winning both the sprint and main races.
Despite bringing a new floor to Brazil, the team appeared to struggle for pace during the weekend — particularly during qualifying. Red Bull Racing changed Verstappen’s suspension set-up and gave him a new Power Unit, resulting in a pit lane start. The changes worked to the Dutchman’s benefit as he managed to finish on the podium.
Mekies spoke about Red Bull Racing’s recent drop in form after the F1 São Paulo GP.
“I would not blame the track really. I think it’s always very difficult. And sometimes you manage it better than other times. I think that’s the simple truth, but it’s easy to forget.
“It’s easy to forget how difficult it is to do it even when you win. So it’s simply very difficult every race.“
Looking ahead to F1 Las Vegas GP
Last season, Verstappen took home his fourth championship at the F1 Las Vegas GP. This season, Verstappen is clinching onto the edge of a tight battle between the McLaren drivers. Red Bull Racing will be looking at Vegas as an opportunity to capitalize at a track where McLaren are known to struggle.
Mekies reiterated the team’s approach to print media, stating, “You know you are getting tired of me telling you that we take it race by race. I’m not going to repeat it.”
He continued, “But the simple truth is the focus is how can we maximise our chance to get the car in the alive window for Las Vegas. The race is a consequence. So nobody is thinking about another championship. We are just thinking about what do we do with the Las Vegas constraints.
“We know it’s very different. Very, very low downforce. Extremely cold windows for the tyres.
How do we get the car to perform there? And then the rest is a consequence.”
