Max Verstappen: Mexico GP podium "is simply not going to occur" for Purple Bull

Max Verstappen says his Purple Bull System 1 automobile “simply is not working” on the Mexico Grand Prix, after qualifying fifth on Saturday.

The reigning world champion reignited the title battle together with his third win out of 4 races in final week’s United States Grand Prix, bringing his hole to chief Oscar Piastri right down to 40 factors.

It left Verstappen together with his destiny in his personal fingers, however nonetheless requiring a near-perfect remaining five-race stretch to overtake Piastri and second-placed Lando Norris.

However the Dutchman hit a primary roadblock in Mexico Metropolis as he could not cease his Purple Bull RB21 from sliding across the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, qualifying fifth after his tyres overheated.

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In the meantime, Norris claimed a dominant pole as he goals to take over the lead from Piastri, who will solely begin seventh on Sunday.

“I feel we have not been superb all season with tyre overheating and that is truly fairly a giant drawback right here,” Verstappen defined after ending up practically half a second adrift of Norris. “At this altitude you begin sliding after which the tyres warmth up quite a bit instantly. And that does not swimsuit us, that is clear.”

Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing

Picture by: Andy Hone/ LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos

Verstappen and Purple Bull had made numerous progress in current weeks to get a greater deal with on automobile steadiness and trip heights, however could not replicate that resulting from a scarcity of chunk on the low-grip Mexico floor.

“You are able to do quite a bit with steadiness, however in fact that does not remedy every little thing,” he defined. “For instance, in Austin we had been additionally very quick, however in the event you have a look at the race, we all the time need to handle much more in sure corners than, say, a McLaren or a Ferrari. However In Austin the automobile was good, so you possibly can masks that. However right here, in the event you do not also have a good steadiness, or at the least no grip, then it is over.

“I attempted all set-up instructions and nothing works. Possibly one route drives just a little higher than the opposite, however we had been simply too sluggish with that one too.”

Verstappen’s woes had been highlighted by his tendency to slip by the quick Flip 9 left-hander, having to right large snaps of oversteer. When requested by Motorsport.com what the issue was, he replied: “Properly, simply watch the onboard and switch up the amount, you then’ll hear what’s taking place there”, suggesting he was bottoming out over the bumps.

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Purple Bull advisor Helmut Marko felt a podium spot was nonetheless achievable on Sunday, however Verstappen is not too assured.

“Certain, if there’s two vehicles dropping out forward of me… There isn’t any level in creating false hope. It is simply not going to occur this weekend. And if nothing loopy occurs for me, then it will not occur. That is simply how it’s.”

Verstappen is absolutely conscious of the title implications if he seems proper and Norris takes 25 factors on Sunday.

“The massive drawback, in fact, is that Lando is beginning up entrance,” he nodded. “We’re not that far behind Oscar when it comes to factors, however we knew we needed to be good till the tip. Then this isn’t preferrred, in fact.”

Pictures from Mexican GP – Apply & Qualifying

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing