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Verstappen sounds alarmed at Red Bull: 'Lawson went harder at Racing Bulls'
Max Verstappen has talked about where the RB21 ranks compared to their rivals after qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix. While the defending champion will start the Chinese Grand Prix on the second row of the grid, he pointed out that he only has the fourth fastest car on the grid, and he also talked about his teammate's, Liam Lawson's difficulties.
Verstappen clear: 'Lawson goes harder at Racing Bulls'
Verstappen once again had to see Liam Lawson finish last in qualifying. The New Zealander is yet to make it out of a Q1 or SQ1 session this season. According to the Dutchman, than only proves how difficult it is to drive the RB21.
"If you look at the difference between the two drivers at the other teams, they are all closer together," he began to De Telegraaf. "It also shows that our car is extremely tricky. I think when you put Liam in the Racing Bulls' car, he goes harder. I really think so. That car is easier to drive than ours. I also notice that when I talk to Liam. Last year, I didn't think the difference between him and Yuki Tsunoda was that big. Otherwise the team wouldn't make the choice to put him in at Red Bull either."
Verstappen: 'We are the fourth team at the moment'
Verstappen then underlined he does not want to blame his team, but prefers to remain realistic above all. He explains that he always looks himself in the mirror first, and is awlays critical, while trying to help the team improve their car and maximising his results. While he feels good in the car, this is not where Red Bull would like to be.
"I feel confident in choosing the right moments to push, without making mistakes. But we are just too slow. Whether we are the fourth team at the moment? That's what it feels like for me," he said.
Verstappen does not have high expectations for the Sunday. The two Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will line up behind his RB21, and the Scuderia seem better in terms of tyre management, something that is key to achieve success on this track.
He also pointed out that qualifying does not exactly tell the current power rankings on the grid: "We did change some things on the car today and hopefully that will help a bit. But I don't expect it to be a difference of night and day. That all of a sudden we can keep up with McLaren. It will be difficult. The gap is bigger than last year. Obviously we are not in a good position. Whether I am worried? Yes. You're allowed to be, right?"
This article was written in collaboration with Nicole Mulder
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