Max Verstappen says there is still plenty of room for Red Bull Racing to improve during the 2023 season. During the previous season, the RB18 mainly had to go on a diet, which took up a large part of the development path. The RB19 is now at the minimum weight and must therefore get improvements from other further developments. That seems like a task, but Verstappen is sure that it will succeed.
The Dutchman left the test days in Bahrain with a good feeling. The RB19 did what it wanted and the team was able to start fine-tuning the car early on. The two-time world champion indicated that the 2023 car has been improved compared to the RB18. The RB18 was unapproachable in 2022, so the Limburger’s statement is promising regarding the new season. “This year’s car builds on last year’s,” Verstappen told Motorsport.com. “But quite a few things have changed,” he continues. This indicates a lighter chassis, the sidepods with a larger notch, and the new floor.
In the previous season, the weight of the car was an aspect that slowed the team down, but that is not the case this year. The RB19 then needs to get other upgrades to get faster lap times out of it. That does mean that things are being looked at in the wind tunnel, and the time for this is limited for the Austrian racing team. In any case, Verstappen does not think it will be a problem. ‘I don’t think it will become more difficult with regard to further developments,’ says the Dutchman. “We are already doing a lot of things out there. I think we know very well what we need to work on. There are things in the pipeline, it’s a work in progress.’
RB19 not tuned to Verstappen: ‘I adapt to what I get’
It was suggested during the winter testing days that the 2023 car has little understeer, with a strong front end. That is in line with the driving style of the two-time world champion. However, Verstappen does not think the car has been adjusted to his driving style. ‘The Red Bull cars are not necessarily made for my driving style. I adapt to what I get’, says the Limburger. “If people ask me about my driving style, I wouldn’t be able to answer that,” Verstappen continues. “Every year you have to adapt to the car, every weekend to the track. The Red Bull cars are often strong at the front, but I’ve never seen a car with understeer that is fast.”
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