1997 Method 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has defended Crimson Bull after claims that the Milton Keynes outfit builds its vehicles round four-time champion Max Verstappen.
Crimson Bull has struggled lately to discover a team-mate for Verstappen who has been capable of extract the identical efficiency from the automotive because the Dutchman, which has led to claims that the squad builds its vehicles to swimsuit Verstappen’s driving fashion.
“Everyone’s been saying, ‘Oh, however the automotive is made for Max. Poor, poor second driver.’ Really, no. Max is engaged on it, making the automotive higher and higher,” Villeneuve stated throughout an look on the Excessive Efficiency podcast.
“When you’re incapable of driving it or determining what the problem is throughout the season, you may find yourself going slower and slower and slower. Not since you’re really slower, however as a result of Max will go quicker and quicker. That is since you’re incapable of really understanding what’s going on with the automotive.
“So, clearly, they’ll work with Max and clearly, the automotive will turn into undrivable for you. We noticed it with [Sergio] Perez. Yearly, they might begin the season on par, and that was it. Perez did not begin going slower. Max began going quicker and quicker and quicker.”
Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
He added: “Quite simple. As a result of he might really comprehend what was happening with the automotive. Generally you may have understeer as a result of the entrance is simply too gentle, different occasions as a result of it is too stiff. Another time all of it relies upon what is definitely taking place.
“And in the midst of that, you need to add the aero bundle. The nearer you might be to the bottom, the extra grip you’ve gotten. So, you want a really stiff automotive. However the stiff automotive mechanically slides. So, that you must determine what that you must do to get into that excellent zone the place you drive the automotive, the place the automotive turns into an additional a part of your physique that you do not have to consider it anymore. Only a few drivers can do this.”
Mexican driver Sergio Perez was changed as Verstappen’s team-mate for 2025 by rookie Liam Lawson. However the New Zealander discovered himself moved to Racing Bulls after simply two race weekends, with Yuki Tsunoda taking the place at Crimson Bull.
Now, the Japanese driver is about to maneuver into the reserve driver function for 2026 as Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar has been confirmed to take the place alongside Verstappen.
Whereas Perez has had a 12 months out of the championship after dropping his seat at Crimson Bull, he’s set to return in 2026 with Cadillac when the American outfit joins the grid because the eleventh workforce.
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