Verstappen urges Red Bull to fix reliability problems as the Dutchman makes strict demands of his team. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen has lamented the fact that reliability problems once again marred his weekend in Jeddah and has called on his team to act quickly.

Max Verstappen may have been pleased with his performance at Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, but the two-time world champion was not happy with finishing second, with the Dutchman calling on Red Bull to address the reliability issues that plagued their weekend in Jeddah.

A driveshaft problem forced Max Verstappen to retire in Q2 in qualifying on Saturday, forcing him to start the race from 15th on the grid on Sunday.

But as the Dutchman made his way through the field to cross the line second behind his team-mate, the Red Bull driver made no secret of his displeasure at a weekend marked by technical problems and called on his team to react.

Asked how long he hopes Red Bull can maintain its lead over the other nine teams, Verstappen said: “Well, of course I hope for a long time. But it’s not just about the pace of the car, we have to make sure we are reliable without any problems.”

“…I’m not happy”

“My first weekend [in Bahrain] was not very clean, because of the big change in balance between [winter] testing and the race weekend, there were other things going on in the background, and now again after three positive practice sessions I have a problem in qualifying.”

“Of course I got second place back, which is good, and in general the whole feeling in the team, everybody is happy, but personally I’m not happy, because I’m not here to be second.”

“Especially when you’re also working very hard in the factory to make sure you get here in good shape, making sure everything is perfect, and then you have to do a recovery race – which I like, I mean I don’t mind doing it, but when you’re fighting for a championship and it looks like it’s between two cars, we have to make sure that both cars are reliable.”

More reliability issues

Verstappen was again heard late in the race complaining about a suspected driveshaft problem on his car, and although the team said they could not see the problem, the Dutchman preferred to play it safe by easing off a little on the final laps.

“I tried to close the gap a little bit [with Perez], but at some point I picked up these vibrations on the driveshaft at the back,” said Verstappen.

“The team couldn’t see anything, but I’m pretty sure there was something strange with the balance since the vibrations started to be felt.”

“At some point I did the maths; I wouldn’t have been able to close that gap to the end with only 10 laps to go, so at some point I think it was more important to settle for second place, without having any problems with the car.”

After the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen is still the championship leader, but he is now just one point ahead of teammate Sergio Perez, thanks in part to the bonus point for the fastest lap in the race on Sunday.

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