Wache concedes Red Bull 'not quick enough' as simulator failed to predict Madring challenges

Verstappen finished fifth in FP1 and sixth in FP2, four tenths behind pacesetter Kimi Antonelli, while Liam Lawson finished both sessions in tenth. Wache explained that mechanical grip, ride quality, tyre graining and track bumpiness were all worse than expected compared to simulation.

"Mechanical grip and the ride are more challenging than what we thought, the tyre grained more than expected, and the track is more bumpy than what we thought from the Sim, so there are some challenges," Wache said. The team had already made substantial setup changes between the two sessions, and Wache confirmed the team will continue to explore further routes ahead of FP3.

While Red Bull remained outside the leading group on outright pace, Wache was encouraged by its longer running and tyre management. "The long run was quite competitive, and our tyre management was quite good, so there's some positives, but we know we're not quick enough yet, so we have a lot of work to do," he added.

Wache also flagged energy deployment as a clear area where Red Bull still has a lot of work to do, describing the challenge of compromising between corner performance and deployment as something the team has yet to resolve. The Frenchman's detailed technical assessment adds depth to the picture already painted by team principal Laurent Mekies, who expressed satisfaction with Friday's program while acknowledging the RB22 has not yet found its ideal setup window.

Verstappen briefly went to the top of the timesheets before his lap time was deleted for a track limits violation at Turn 17. The Dutchman also reported that his steering had suddenly become heavier late in the session, giving Red Bull another issue to investigate overnight.

Verstappen played down the severity of the problem: "It's all drivable, but it was not feeling the same. But they will fix it," he said. With qualifying on Saturday afternoon, the contrast between Red Bull's encouraging race pace and its one-lap deficit gives the team a clear objective. If the overnight work can bring the RB22 closer to Mercedes and Ferrari over a single lap, the long-run data suggests the race on Sunday could tell a very different story.