Max Verstappen: “That’s unacceptable!” What lies behind his radio message

Third in the first practice session, third in the second: on paper, Max Verstappen seems to be on course to be in contention for a podium finish in Brazil as well.

“All in all, it wasn’t too bad,” said the 74-time Grand Prix winner, summing up the two Brazilian practice sessions. “But we need to get even more out of the car. The main challenge is ensuring consistent performance from the power unit.”

“We’ve still got some work to do ahead of Saturday. There’s nothing shocking to report at the moment, but we want to do better in the third free practice session and then in qualifying.”

In the first practice session, the four-time Formula 1 champion led the timesheets on several occasions (ultimately finishing third behind Norris and Antonelli), but it was clear that not everything was going to plan. Max on the radio: “Unacceptable, these gear changes – just unacceptable.”

Later, Verstappen reported over the radio: “The steering is much stiffer to the left than to the right – that’s completely odd. It’s a proper fitness workout out here.”

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In the second practice session, Mexico winner Verstappen was told by his race engineer, Tom Hart, that the power unit was now adapting. That, of course, was a perfect opportunity for an ironic response from the Red Bull Racing star: “What’s that supposed to mean? Do I have to have a chat with the power unit myself?”

After the practice session, Verstappen explained the ongoing issues with clean gear changes: “When it comes to gear changes – or whatever else you hear me complaining about – the simple fact is that I’m basically never satisfied; because I think certain things can always be better.”

“I’m always trying to fine-tune things or find ways to improve. So, if you see that as a complaint or whatever you want to call it, for me it’s above all a chance to ensure that my team are constantly paying attention to every detail to find more lap time – because I know there’s even more lap time in the car.”