Van der Garde sees weak spot RB16: "They're having a very hard time with that"

Giedo van der Garde thinks that the Red Bull Racing of Max Verstappen and Alexander Albon is able to perform better than the last few weeks. According to the former Formula 1 driver of Caterham, the balance of the 2020 car needs to be worked on.

"If they have found the right balance, they fight for the podium. But if they don't have the balance right, then suddenly they are seventh and thirteenth on the grid", says Van der Garde in an interview with Motorsport.com after the Hungarian Grand Prix. According to the WEC driver there is a lot more to get out of the RB16 than was done during the first three GP's of the season. "But I think the package in itself is good."

In the winter tests the RB16 went well at the circuit in Barcelona, but after the corona break it seems to have turned the other way. "Everyone was convinced then that they had really taken a step in the right direction, even with the upgrade that Honda had brought", he continues. "But it's important that a car has a good balance. If the car isn't balanced, a car is going to slide, and they're having a really hard time with that at the moment."

Mercedes very strong

After three weekends Verstappen already have to chase the Mercedessen. The gap to World Championship leader Lewis Hamilton is already thirty points. Van der Garde doesn't dare to say whether that means the chances for a first world title in 2020 are gone. "The races follow each other very quickly, so the teams can't really come up with big updates. Red Bull will keep pushing, but I think Mercedes is very strong this year.