Verstappen airs 'too slow' Red Bull concern despite Tsunoda silver lining

Max Verstappen found a rare positive from what has been a disappointing Bahrain Grand Prix weekend to date - but feels it will be undermined by one of the clear limitations of the RB21.

Verstappen will start the race at the Bahrain International Circuit from a relatively lowly seventh on the grid, just a week on from his stunning performance in Japan where he secured the 64th win of his F1 career from one of his best pole-clinching performances.

The four-time F1 champion finished six-tenths adrift of McLaren polesitter Oscar Piastri after struggling with an RB21 displaying brake problems, in particular, as well as an overall lack of pace.

At least Red Bull has two cars in the top 10 on the grid for the first time this year, with Verstappen's new team-mate, Yuki Tsunoda starting 10th, and providing potential strategy options under certain circumstances.

Asked whether the silver lining for him and Red Bull was having Tsunoda in such a position, a wary Verstappen, speaking to media, including RacingNews365, replied: "It depends if we have the pace, which I don't think we have.

"The positive is that we had two cars in Q3. The negative is that we struggle for pace, so it's nice to have two cars in there, but if we are too slow then it doesn't matter."

As to why Verstappen was so off the pace this weekend compared to his dominant display at Suzuka, he said: "In Japan, it wasn't good as well, but here you just get punished a bit harder when you have bigger balance issues.

"That's because the tarmac is so aggressive, the wind is also quite high, and the track has quite low grip. So everything is highlighted more."

Whether that made the car more sensitive in such conditions, he replied: "It is sensitive in general. But here, of course, because of the tarmac and general grip, it's more difficult."

"I'll try to do the best I can. I hope that I can stay a bit with the Mercedes and Ferraris. Naturally, I think the McLarens will pull away. But we'll try our best."