Verstappen Absent from Mexico Practice Due to ‘Weird’ and ‘Disturbing’ Red Bull Issues

Max Verstappen’s preparations for the Mexican Grand Prix took an unexpected turn when he was unable to participate in practice sessions due to concerns over the performance of his Red Bull car.

The reigning world champion described the situation as “weird” and “disturbing,” raising alarms about the team’s technical reliability just days before the race.

During initial practice sessions, Verstappen reported unusual handling characteristics and performance issues that prompted the team to investigate further.

“It’s not something we’ve experienced before,” Verstappen said after the session. “It felt like something was off with the car, and that’s not ideal when you’re trying to prepare for a race weekend.”

The driver noted that the feedback he was getting from the car was inconsistent, which is critical for setting up the vehicle for optimal performance on the challenging Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit.

Red Bull’s technical team, led by Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey, immediately commenced an in-depth analysis to identify the root cause of the issues.

Early assessments suggested potential problems with the car’s aerodynamics and suspension, both vital components for the high-speed corners and elevation changes characteristic of the Mexican track.

As the team worked tirelessly to rectify these issues, Verstappen’s absence from practice left a cloud of uncertainty over his ability to compete at full capacity.

Despite these challenges, Verstappen remains optimistic about the team’s ability to resolve the problems before qualifying. “We have a fantastic team, and I believe we’ll get to the bottom of this,” he stated.

However, he acknowledged that time is of the essence, as each practice session is crucial for fine-tuning the car’s setup.

The development comes at a pivotal moment in the season, with Verstappen seeking to solidify his lead in the championship standings. After dominating much of the year, the last thing he needs is a setback just before a critical race.

The stakes are particularly high in Mexico, where the altitude and unique track layout present specific challenges that require meticulous preparation.

As the team works to restore confidence in the car, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if Verstappen can overcome these early hurdles.

The next few days will be crucial for Red Bull as they aim to deliver a competitive package that allows their star driver to maintain his championship momentum in what has been an otherwise remarkable season.