Max Verstappen has ringed the Red Bull alarm and stressed that the RB21 is "weak" compared to its rivals in this weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix.
Verstappen failed to take the fight to a rapid Lando Norris in qualifying and had to settle for fifth, leaving the Dutchman with significant work to do in the grand prix.
After winning three of the last four races, the four-time world champion has looked uncomfortable at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Throughout the event he has complained multiple times of severe grip issues, making the RB21 a difficult package to drive.
When pointed out that his car has looked difficult to drive all weekend, Verstappen told select media including RacingNews365: "Yeah, sums it up. There's not much more to say. It's just been very difficult.
"We tried a lot of stuff. It's not a lack of trying, but yeah, it's been. It's been, yeah, not great. Let's say it like that."
While Verstappen starts on the third row, Norris secured a dominant pole position, giving the Briton a huge opportunity in the title fight.
To keep his own chances alive, Verstappen needs to keep finishing ahead of both McLarens, something which looks unlikely in Mexico City.
However, he does at least start two positions ahead of championship leader Oscar Piastri, giving the 28-year-old an opportunity to at least score more points than the Australian. Although, Verstappen is feeling far from optimistic about his chances.
Discussing the run into the first corner and starting ahead of Piastri, Verstappen insisted: "I have no pace, so it doesn't matter what I do in Turn 1, even if I jump two cars, they will get me in the race.
"So I just need to stay out of trouble and just do my own race, because every lap that I did, even in the long run, has been weak compared to the cars ahead of me. So just try to follow, see what we can do."
Most read
In this article
Join the conversation!