Max Verstappen, the defending two-time world champion, faced a series of setbacks during the qualifying session at Marina Bay. Struggling with the performance of his RB19 car, Verstappen found himself unable to push to his full potential. The undriveable nature of his car, which bottomed out and lacked stability under braking, left him feeling devoid of confidence.
Instead of showcasing his skills and contending for pole position, Verstappen could only manage the 11th fastest time in Q2. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz topped the shootout, leaving Verstappen far behind. It was a disappointing result for Verstappen and the Red Bull Racing team, who have been experiencing ongoing difficulties with their cars throughout the weekend.
Unfriendly Encounters with the Stewards
Verstappen’s struggles on the track were further compounded by his encounters with the FIA stewards. He found himself summoned to explain three separate incidents during the qualifying session, raising concerns about his conduct on the track.
The first incident involved a possible impeding of the Williams car driven by rookie F1 racer Logan Sargeant between Turn 17 and 18 in Q1. Verstappen’s actions caught the attention of the stewards, but they ruled that he was limited in his options due to traffic overtaking on either side. Ultimately, the stewards deemed Verstappen’s decision to continue in a straight line as the safest choice to avoid a collision.
In the second incident, Verstappen was accused of impeding cars at the pit exit. This came after his RB19 appeared to hit an issue and left him waiting at a green light. Despite the extraordinary wait of 14 seconds, Verstappen was excused for this case. He claimed that he delayed his departure from the pit exit to create a gap in front of him, but this negated gap was due to other cars slowing on the out lap. The stewards acknowledged that Verstappen gained no obvious advantage from this, but the potential for negatively impacting other drivers warranted a penalty in the form of a reprimand.
Lastly, Verstappen was called to explain why he appeared to impede AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda between Turns 3 and 4. However, the stewards cleared Verstappen of this incident based on precedent set earlier in the season. They referred to previous decisions made regarding impeding incidents and imposed a penalty of a reprimand on Verstappen and a fine of €5,000 on Red Bull Racing.
A Weekend to Forget
The combination of Verstappen’s struggles with an undriveable car and the encounters with the stewards made this qualifying session one to forget for the defending champion. It highlighted the ongoing issues faced by the RB19 machines, leaving Verstappen frustrated and lacking confidence.
Despite the reprimands and fine imposed on him, Verstappen’s conduct on the track did not seem to significantly impact his championship campaign. However, it is important for both him and the Red Bull Racing team to address the ongoing problems with the RB19’s performance. Without a car that can perform to its full potential, Verstappen’s chances of clinching his third world title may be at risk.
As the season progresses, it remains to be seen whether Verstappen and his team can overcome these challenges and regain their competitive edge. The struggles faced during this qualifying session serve as a stark reminder of the harsh realities of Formula 1 racing, where even the best drivers can find themselves facing setbacks and disappointments.
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