Red Bull: Max Verstappen struggles with unbalanced RB20 in Abu Dhabi, but podium is within reach. Max Verstappen qualified fifth for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, hindered by an unbalanced RB20.

With the championship already secured, Max Verstappen races without pressure and can approach the 2024 season finale with a relaxed mindset. This perhaps explains his relatively calm reaction to finishing fifth in qualifying.

The RB20 showed a balance far from ideal. While the front end felt sharp, the setup lacked the precision Verstappen desired. This imbalance led to understeer in some corners and oversteer in others. One instance nearly resulted in disaster during Q3 when Verstappen almost lost control exiting the final corner, narrowly avoiding the pit wall with a remarkable save that showcased his champion-level skill.

“At one point, facing the wall, I thought, ‘This could get spicy,’ but it didn’t happen so fast,” Verstappen explained. “I think we struggled to find the right setup this weekend. We might have looked okay in Q1 and Q2, but mostly because others were cutting laps on fresh tires while those behind me used older sets. In Q3, it wasn’t bad, but the car wasn’t stable enough. It was tricky in certain corners, making it hard to be consistent.”

“I had issues in several corners. If you try to fix one, it throws off the balance elsewhere. In some, I had understeer; in others, oversteer. The front is strong, that’s fine, but the overall balance isn’t perfect, and on some tracks, this compromises us.”

This balance issue, combined with less-than-perfect laps in Q3, cost Verstappen a result he feels was within reach—a spot on the front row. Instead, he will start from the third row in fifth, alongside a surprisingly strong Nico Hulkenberg in the Haas.

“I should have been on the front row, but fifth isn’t terrible. If we can solve our issues by tomorrow, we’ll have a good race pace. We’ve struggled to find the right balance and setup compromise, and these are things we need to work on for next year’s car as well. If we can address these problems, I’m confident we’ll be strong in the race.”

“I think the McLarens are too fast. I hope to battle with Carlos’ Ferrari, considering Charles starts from the back. Behind me, there will also be a fierce fight for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship. We’ll see how things unfold. Realistically, a podium is achievable.”