Palmer highlights Verstappen's value within Red Bull

08:51, 03 Jul

bySandy van Wijngaarden

Next to Max Verstappen, it seems no other driver can really perform at Red Bull Racing at the moment. The RB21 appears to be an incredibly difficult car to handle. Jolyon Palmer has analysed the grim situation at the Austrian racing team.

“The stark reality for Red Bull is that without Verstappen’s considerable haul of points, they would be last in the Teams’ championship”, the F1 TV analyst began about the grim situation in his analysis on Formula1.com.

“After Liam Lawson’s disappointing two-race stint for the senior team, things looked temporarily better for Tsunoda at Red Bull, but he is now slumping back to a form worse than Sergio Perez and no better than Lawson’s couple of races."

Without Max Verstappen, the Austrian team would be nowhere, according to the Brit. “The truth is, without Verstappen, Red Bull aren’t even midfielders, they are tail-enders in Formula 1 and even a long way adrift of Racing Bulls."

Why can only Verstappen get along with the RB21?

Palmer asked himself this question in his analysis. "Max has a very specific style and an incredible feel for the car. He likes a positive front end and a car that can be sharp on entry."

"He can also deal with the usual compromise of oversteer better than anyone in the field. The problem then seems to be finding someone else who can handle similar characteristics to Verstappen."

Max Verstappen in Austria

The difference between Verstappen and the rest of the field astonishes the analyst. “I’ve never known one driver to drive so differently from so many others, but it is the only explanation, and it is a complete head scratcher for Red Bull – and anyone else who might want to hire the most formidable talent in the field,” said Palmer.