Red Bull top man on RB18: "Have to try to help Verstappen"

Pierre Waché is deeply impressed by Max Verstappen. The technical director of Red Bull Racing states in an interview with De Telegraaf that he has never seen a talent like the young Dutchman. Furthermore, the top man of the Milton Keynes-based racing team says that there is even more in it than what Verstappen has shown so far in 2022.

Verstappen praised

"Max has so much talent, we've never seen that before," Waché interjects. He calls Verstappen an "exceptional driver" with a "strong character". What is very important for Red Bull is that Verstappen's desire and drive to win races provide even more motivation within the team.

The Austrian racing team has had some difficult years in Formula 1. For a long time, it had to put up with not only Mercedes, but also Ferrari. "But Max was already so good then that he still managed to get more out of the car than was actually in it," explains Waché. "For us, it's very important that he can describe well which way we should go in terms of the setup of the car. He knows what he wants and needs. That's a huge addition."

RB18 not quite to Verstappen's liking yet

Of the seven Grands Prix, the current leader in the world championship managed to win four. Twice Charles Leclerc took the victory on behalf of Ferrari and Sergio Perez once climbed the highest step of the podium. Remarkably, Verstappen is still not fully satisfied with the balance of the RB18.

Since this year new regulations have been introduced in Formula 1 and that has brought Perez a lot closer to Verstappen. According to Waché, one of the reasons for this is that Verstappen likes a more stable front end, but Red Bull hasn't quite succeeded in that yet. "We have to try to help Max. I agree with him that he can get even more out of the car."

Also during the first two free practice sessions for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix it became clear again that Verstappen cannot turn in exactly the way he wants. He is therefore not yet able to get the maximum out of it. Compared to last season the rear end is a lot less loose. This is now to Perez's advantage and that is also reflected in the times of the two teammates.