Red Bull faces setup challenges at the new Madrid Formula 1 circuit
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 12, 2026, 8:00 AM
Last updated Sep 12, 2026
Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache confirmed the team lacks sufficient pace following Friday practice sessions at the Madring circuit. Verstappen finished fifth in FP1 and sixth in FP2, trailing pacesetter Kimi Antonelli by four tenths of a second. Wache noted that the team’s simulator failed to accurately predict the track's surface bumpiness, ride quality, and tyre graining levels. While setup adjustments were made between sessions, Verstappen also dealt with a deleted lap time for track limits and an unexpected steering issue. Despite these technical hurdles, Wache expressed optimism regarding the team's long-run race pace and tyre management. Red Bull continues to work on optimizing energy deployment and overall balance ahead of Saturday's qualifying session.
- •Verstappen placed fifth in FP1 and sixth in FP2.
- •Wache cited mechanical grip and track bumpiness as major simulation discrepancies.
- •Liam Lawson finished both Friday sessions in tenth position.
- •Engineers are investigating a reported steering problem on the RB22.
- •Red Bull identified energy deployment as an area requiring further development.
- 8:00 AMYahoo Sports — Wache concedes Red Bull 'not quick enough' as simulator failed to predict Madring challenges
"Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache has admitted the team is 'not quick enough yet' after Friday practice at the Madring, revealing that the new Madrid circuit proved more challenging than the team's simulator work had predicted in several key areas. Verstappen finished fifth in FP1 and sixth in FP2, four tenths behind pacesetter Kimi Antonelli, while Liam Lawson finished both sessions in tenth.
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