Red Bull’s lead driver Max Verstappen and rookie Isack Hadjar admitted on Thursday that the team still faces a lot of uncertainty ahead of the Barcelona‑Catalunya Grand Prix, even after securing podium finishes in Canada and Monaco.
Verstappen highlighted the shift from the cold, short‑lapped Canadian race and the tight street circuit of Monaco to a more traditional, high‑speed layout with expected hot temperatures. He said he has no clear picture of how the new RB22 tyres will behave in the heat and will be fitting a fresh power unit after a problematic start in Monaco cost him a front‑row launch. The Dutchman stressed that practice will be crucial to gauge the car’s balance.
Hadjar, who enjoyed a second‑place finish in Monaco, compared Barcelona to Suzuka, noting both feature fast corners and high energy demand. He pointed to recent upgrades that should improve the car’s performance on such tracks and expects the weekend’s data to confirm whether the improvements are sufficient. Both drivers will be watching the first practice session closely to shape their strategies for qualifying and the race.
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