Verstappen pinpoints Red Bull shift after brutal 'wake-up call'

Max Verstappen is positive that Red Bull has begun to address its kerb-riding problems that were exposed in a "wake-up call" in Monaco. 

Throughout the weekend in Monte Carlo, the RB20 struggled over bumps and riding the kerbs, a trait Verstappen revealed had been present since the ground effect rules were introduced.

Such has been Red Bull's superiority over the field in 2022 and 2023, this was not a concern for the team, although the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix did highlight a potential weakness in the concept.

Having been bouncing like a "kangaroo" in the Principality, Verstappen has been encouraged by how Red Bull has reacted.

"This is something that we know is not our favourite thing in the world, but it is something that we are working on to try and make better," he told media including RacingNews365.

"It takes time, this is not something that is solved from one week to the next, but we will try and optimise things. 

"It has been a problem since day one of the new regulations - and it is not something that we have been able to fix yet. 

"Monaco gave us another wake-up call and we've had lots of good meetings at the factory and I feel like there is a bit more focus now to try and improve that.

"Because you can't rely on your advantage, even if the kerb-riding is bad, so it definitely needs to be fixed, but it just takes time to make big changes on the car.

Changes coming

The world champion, who heads into the Canadian Grand Prix weekend looking for a third-straight Montreal victory also described how the budget cap was affecting Red Bull's chances of immediately developing its way out of trouble.

Despite that, the Dutchman is optimistic of changes coming, even as soon as later this season.

"Some things are designed and they might have to be re-designed and you can't do that with the budget cap within one or two weeks," he explained.

"We can still do a good job this year, if everything works out, but at the moment, we still have to try a few things and see what works best. 

"For sure, I think some things will be different next year, that are maybe a bit more difficult to re-design this year - but I am hopeful and confident that we can do a better job already this year.