Red Bull Apologizes After Rear Aero Damage Triggers Verstappen's Q3 Crash, Leaving Him 5th
Updated
Updated · Autosport · Jun 27
Red Bull Apologizes After Rear Aero Damage Triggers Verstappen's Q3 Crash, Leaving Him 5th
3 articles · Updated · Autosport · Jun 27
Summary
Laurent Mekies said Red Bull found rear aero damage on Max Verstappen's RB22, causing a sudden loss of rear downforce that made his high-speed Turn 9 Q3 crash unavoidable.
Team radio immediately after the impact pointed to the rear wing, and Mekies said the unusual failure left Verstappen with "no chance" to save the car as Red Bull took full responsibility.
Verstappen said the rear end lost grip and the wheel locked in an uncontrollable spin, but added the damage is limited and should not affect Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix.
P5 still reflected improved pace from Red Bull's new upgrade package, though Verstappen said he was unlikely to challenge for pole and would probably have finished behind both Mercedes cars.
The crash capped a difficult Austria weekend for Red Bull, which had already worked through a Friday power-unit RPM issue and was still learning the upgraded car's operating window.