The Red Bull design flaw plaguing Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen spoke in Monza and Madrid about 'car degradation', a very specific phenomenon that isn’t simply the same as normal tyre wear. 

In fact, it points to a broader problem: the overall loss of the car’s performance as the race progresses and the laps go by.

This phenomenon comes about completely contrary to expectations. Normally, a lower fuel load results in time saving and helps conserve the tyres. 

In this case, however, tyre wear is actually exacerbated by the gradual burning of the fuel.

To explain exactly what happens, a car with 'car degradation' is simply better balanced when it’s running on a full tank. 

Although the lower weight should actually provide an advantage in terms of lap time, the resulting imbalance causes this advantage to completely evaporate - and even turns into a disadvantage when it comes to tyre management.

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Car optimization

The RB22 demonstrates just how much influence the dynamic aspect - that is, the chassis and suspension - has on both tyre wear and the optimal utilisation of the power unit when it is not perfectly optimised. 

A car that is out of balance not only prevents you from utilising the engine’s maximum power but also limits your strategic options. 

This can force the team to make specific choices in advance regarding tyre compounds or the number of planned pit stops.

In short, 'car degradation' is nothing more than the complex overall picture of the consequences a design flaw can have on race pace. 

If a design contains flaws, or simply struggles with issues related to aerodynamic and, above all, mechanical balance, a lighter car does not mitigate those negative effects during the race; rather, it amplifies them. 

This makes certain tactics impossible, such as switching to a set of soft tyres in the final stages to make up time.