Max Verstappen ended up half a 2nd adrift in 6th in Thursday’s FP2, which was kept in comparable night-time conditions as certifying and the race, with team-mate Sergio Perez a more 3 tenths behind in 10th.
Mercedes took the headings with a 1-2 for Lewis Hamilton and George RussellWhile Red Bull confesses its certifying speed is not looking as strong as it would have liked, Verstappen thinks lower engines modes are accountable for the space to Hamilton.
“I believe it was excusable, it was extremely close,” Verstappen stated. “Maybe some individuals around us currently showed up the engine a bit in regards to leading speed.
“I do not state everybody around us did that however a couple of did, so I’m not too concerned about the space to P1. It’s going to be really close in certifying, so that’s going to be extremely good.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20
Image by: Erik Junius
When group consultant Marko was asked by Motorsport.com/ Autosport if Red Bull was on the bottom end of engine mapping compared to its competitors, he responded: “Yes. Not everyone is utilizing the very same engine mapping, so we are not stressed.
“Today it didn’t come as simple as throughout the tests. The long term was great, however certifying will be really tight.”
Mercedes and Ferrari both especially pleased with one-lap speed, while Verstappen states he had not yet had the ability to strike the sweet area on the RB20’s balance.
In the middle of all the enjoyment over a tighter grid in certifying, Red Bull still looked ominously dominant