Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, Hungaroring, 2018

“Like driving on eggs”: Red Bull pair baffled by poor wet weather pace

2018 Hungarian Grand Prix

Posted on

| Written by and

Red Bull Formula 1 drivers Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo were surprised by the poor performance of their car in the rain-hit qualifying session at the Hungaroring.

The team tends to be more competitive on slower tracks and in wet conditions, but ended qualifying in Hungary with Verstappen seventh and Ricciardo 12th.

Verstappen said he didn’t know why he ended up 2.3 seconds off Lewis Hamilton’s pole position time.

“The car was just not having a lot of grip,” he said. “Especially on the [full wet] tyres we were really struggling. But even on the intermediates it was not fantastic. I don’t know why otherwise we would have changed it.”

The car felt weak at all stages of cornering, said Verstappen. “Just sliding around, no grip, locking. Mid-corner: no grip, no traction. Like driving on eggs.”

Ricciardo was eliminated in Q2 after having to abort a lap due to yellow flags caused by Lance Stroll. He admitted he was surprised by their lack of pace.

“It just felt like we didn’t have as much grip. Why, we’re not sure. Normally the car is really strong in the wet. I’d imagine it’s something to do with tyres, tyre temperatures or something but right now we’re not sure.”

He indicated the team expected to do better in the adverse conditions. “Obviously me going in Q2 was a big disappointment,” Ricciardo said. “I don’t know if that was a bigger disappointment or Max [being] seventh in Q3 in the wet.

“I’m sure everyone was thinking ‘one car’s out, maybe one car can get pole’. It seemed like we kind of wanted the wet but it didn’t happen.”

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

2018 F1 season

Browse all 2018 F1 season articles

14 comments on ““Like driving on eggs”: Red Bull pair baffled by poor wet weather pace”

  1. Simple answer ride height

  2. Watching Ricciardos car in Q1 before the downpour his car seemed to be striking the ground more that most of the others. So I’m guessing they had it set up for high down force, but when the rain did come just not enough grip. So as he said maybe the tyers just not doing as expected.
    If they can make the right adjustments hopefully the RBs can fight for a podium.

    1. I’m no egghead but doesn’t Parc Ferme come into play. Not much they can do.

      1. They can still make minor aero changes while in Parc Ferme.

        1. A few turns on the front wing is about it other than tire pressures
          Parc ferme means you cant touch the cars setup wise.
          And if they were setup for high downforce that should have helped in those conditions

  3. I think they are running way to low. They were probably aquaplanking. There were sparks at around half the straight.

    1. @jureo They have always done that, it doesnt explain why they suddenly are slow in wet which traditionally is their biggest strength.

  4. “It’s a yolk”

  5. Ride hight might be one reason. RIC did spark alot while it was dry and RBR runs a lot of rake. As I understand inters and fullwets rise the ride height so probably the special rake-generated downforce is lost as the ride hight changes. Inters and fullwets have higher diameter to rise the car a bit.

  6. That’s not like redbull to not blame Renault. Although I guess with sainz outqualifying them they couldn’t. Surprised they didn’t try to though.

    1. Blame the engine in wet?
      Red Bull knows what they are doing and who to blame, you are confusing them with Mclaren.

  7. In the past four/five years Mercedes have always been strongest on power circuits, while Ferrari’s opportunities have always been at aerodynamic circuits, or in wetter conditions. This year well and truly seems to be the opposite.

    What’s amazing is Red Bull, who have always had the strongest aerodynamics of anyone, were 2.3 seconds off pole, in the wet, at an aerodynamic circuit. Very baffling indeed

    1. Do not agree with the part that Ferrari’s opportunities have always been in wetter conditions… in case you meant wet conditions. I reckon their drivers weren’t exactly rain masters, but they’re not bad by any means. I kinda fail to remember 1 race since 2010 where Ferrari looked even remotely the car to beat in wet conditions. Since 2010 the 1st team mentioned as fav when rain is predicted is RBR. So, in my opinion, Ferrari didn’t build a strong car for wet conditions for quite a long time. Probably it has something to do that their car seems to work better as the temp is getting hotter.

  8. Helmut Marko said they couldn’t get the tyre temperature above 50 degrees C and they don’t understand why.

Comments are closed.