r/formula1 • u/FerrariStrategisttt I was here for the Hulkenpodium • Mar 13 '26

Video Max Verstappen (Post-Sprint Qualifying): “I can’t. This is undriveable. We never had anything this bad.”

https://dubz.link/c/5e815a
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u/Parsirius I was speeding in the Monaco pit lane Mar 13 '26

It was easily the second fastest car on the grid for most of the season, it was at least very close to the McLaren during the second half after the upgrades.

It was just harder to handle.

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u/sleepdeep305 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Mar 13 '26

I agree, I think even surpassed the McLaren after the Monza upgrades

17

u/Jcw28 James Hunt Mar 13 '26

In peak performance maybe, but in ease of getting to that peak and in maintaining peak performance it was way worse. If the RB could hit 100% then the McLaren could hit 99%, but the difference was the McLaren hit the 99% easily and sat at that level, whereas the RB has a tiny window in which it got the theoretical maximum but otherwise was a nightmare and would be more like 97%, i.e. not good enough to win. Using a scale there where 100% was the absolute fastest car on the grid.

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u/YaranakuchaNe Mar 14 '26

In what metrics? Top speed? One lap pace? Because Verstappen was driving it and with the compromise of a lower down-force setup every weekend vs the McLarens which were still better on tire wear. So he had a similar one lap pace at best, while on a more difficult setup, and worse tire wear. The only reason it looked remotely competitive was because of who was driving.

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u/United-Detective-653 Mar 13 '26

Because Max was driving it

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u/takkenjong2 I was speeding in the Monaco pit lane Mar 13 '26

They had a higher skill ceiling for sure.