Does the RB21, and its predecessors, only suit the ‘aggressive’ driving style of Max Verstappen? This theory circulated after Liam Lawson was demoted to Racing Bulls following two disappointing Grand Prix weekends. Former Red Bull junior Jaime Alguersuari refutes the rumors: ‘No engineer in the world builds a car for a specific driving style’.
During the GP Japan, Max Verstappen has a new teammate in the RB21: Yuki Tsunoda. This is now the Dutchman’s sixth teammate at Red Bull, leading to a perceived ‘curse’ on the second seat of the Austrian racing team. Critics even believe that all Red Bull cars are built around Verstappen’s driving style, making it more difficult for teammates to handle the cars.
Every Situation
This is nonsense, explains former Red Bull junior Jaime Alguersuari. The Spaniard drove for Red Bull’s sister team Toro Rosso between 2009 and 2011. “There is no engineer in the world who builds a car for a specific driving style,” the former F1 driver tells talkSPORT. “Max simply understands how to drive in every situation and under every circumstance. He has enough talent to feel every small change and to find grip in an incredible way that no one else can feel and find.”
According to Alguersuari, Verstappen does have a very ‘sharp’ driving style. “All drivers know that an understeering car is absolutely slower than a slightly sharper, oversteering car,” continues the former driver. “That has been crystal clear since you drive in Formula Ford or Formula 3 or Formula 4 or whatever.” Tsunoda, at least, already indicated that he finds the RB21 ‘not such a challenging car’ on the simulator. The Japanese driver therefore hopes to finish on the podium in Japan.
