Helmut Marko has called Max Verstappen's struggles with Red Bull's RB20 car at Imola "alarming." Post-Miami defeat, expectations were high for a strong performance at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, but both Verstappen and Sergio Perez ended Friday's practice sessions in 7th and 8th. The primary issue was the RB20’s unstable rear end, especially through Imola's second sector, leaving Verstappen unable to control the car effectively. Adjustments made between practice sessions proved ineffective, improving handling slightly but compromising long-run pace. Marko is particularly concerned about Red Bull's competitive edge relative to McLaren, who showed strong race pace.

By the Numbers
  • Verstappen and Perez finished FP2 in 7th and 8th respectively.
  • Set-up changes between sessions failed to deliver significant benefits.
Yes, But

While the immediate performance in practice is concerning, it is possible that further setup adjustments and data analysis could yield improvements before qualifying and race day.

State of Play
  • Verstappen struggled with the car’s rear-end stability, particularly in the second sector at Imola.
  • Setup changes worsened the car's performance on long runs.
  • McLaren, with consistent race times and no tire degradation, appears to be Red Bull's strongest competitor currently.
What's Next

Red Bull will aim to refine the RB20’s setup ahead of qualifying and race day, focusing on enhancing stability and overall pace to close the performance gap, especially against McLaren.

Bottom Line

Red Bull's hopes for a strong performance at Imola are in jeopardy unless they can address the RB20's stability issues. Verstappen's struggles signal a significant challenge ahead, particularly against a competitive McLaren team.