Max Verstappen Reveals Bold Team Order After Strong Red Bull Start

Max Verstappen says Spa’s pecking order will crystallise in FP3 after a productive Friday for Red Bull, which combined early pace with set-up learning at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Red Bull reverted to its original rear wing after abandoning the experimental inverted design, which encountered issues, as outlined in Spa wing report. The switch did not blunt Verstappen’s speed.

He topped FP1 and placed third in FP2. A gravel drag from the exit caused a brief red flag, while downshifts he called “unacceptable” punctuated otherwise clean running.

Verstappen praised a balanced baseline that allowed targeted tweaks rather than wholesale changes. Some experiments paid off; others will be reversed overnight.

Despite the strong start, he remains unsure how much headroom the RB22 retains. He trailed Kimi Antonelli by almost half a second and expects to chip away before qualifying.

Verstappen expects FP3 to provide cleaner read-throughs on fuel loads, run plans, and track evolution. He considers the current gap predictable rather than alarming.

Red Bull’s day also featured a useful marker from junior Isack Hadjar, fifth fastest, reinforcing programme depth as baseline performance improves while the team seeks to rebuild its edge.

The interruptions extended beyond Verstappen’s gravel moment, with Pierre Gasly also causing stoppages. Even so, Red Bull executed a clean run plan, underlining Verstappen’s ongoing commitment to Red Bull.

Attention now turns to trimming drag-versus-downforce trade-offs and refining tyre preparation for a cooler Spa Saturday. The team targets qualifying execution after strong Fridays rarely guarantee grid advantage.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.