Why Verstappen could be vulnerable on starts and strategy

14 comments on “Why Verstappen could be vulnerable on starts and strategy”

1. 

   kartguy07 (@kartguy07)
   3rd August 2019, 22:51

   Traditionally the Hungaroring has had a big difference between the clean and dirty side of the grid at starts, although I think it may not be so big this year with the weather and the tarmac. Couple that with Verstappen’s poor starts and Hamilton would be in prime position to take the lead before the first corner, but if Max really struggled off the line he could block Hamilton and let Bottas in. Either way, unless Red Bull have improved their starts, I do not see Max keeping the lead at the start.
   1. 

      Robbie (@robbie)
      3rd August 2019, 23:15

      True, yet it may not matter as he has lately been an absolute pit bull even after a blown start. In other words, no reason to count Max out if he has another bad start, or if the might of Merc wins the drag race to turn one. But for sure RBR need to get on top of their starts, and it’s not like this has been happening all season. Max usually starts very well and has been making wise decisions in the initial corners.
      1. 

         Jeffrey (@jeffreyj)
         4th August 2019, 3:46

         Max usually starts very well

         No he doesn’t. He either bogs down and loses places, or he has an ‘ok’ start and then makes up places during the first lap. I have never seen him jump off the starting line like a Hamilton or Alonso can.
   2. 

      erikje
      3rd August 2019, 23:35

      I think it may not be so big this year with the weather and the tarmac.

      Looking at the excellent start by De vries form pole F2 who ran on the dirt just before the first corner and lost the race there, i am not so sure about that.
      1. 

         David (@davidjwest)
         4th August 2019, 12:35

         Max will not have a poor start today and will lead from start to finish. The offset means Bottas won’t be a factor into turn one and both Mercedes will be fighting each other into T1 giving Max a bit of a breathing space.

         After that Max will simply drive away from the field, the Red Bull is good enough around here for him not to have to worry about strategy.

         In fact I think Max may have enough of an advantage for a “free” stop near the end so he can grab fastest lap as well.
2. 

   socksolid (@socksolid)
   4th August 2019, 4:55

   The biggest issue for verstappen is that his starts have been really poor in the last few races. His best recent start is from silverstone where he held on to his 4th position. In all other recent races he has lost positions.
3. 

   hahostolze (@hahostolze)
   4th August 2019, 6:34

   Clearly Honda ratcheting up the engine during the season has led Red Bull to not quite grasping the power curves at starts. It was a clear focus for Verstappen in the practices. Hopefully for him they have a better understanding of the Honda engine in its current state and he gets away fine.
   He will be aided by being on the clean side (support races have shown this to be key all weekend) and the fast starting Ferrari’s swamping the Mercs could lead to them having to defend more than they attack. Either way the start tomorrow could, as it does surprisingly often, make for a totally anticlimactic race.
4. 

   Jere (@jerejj)
   4th August 2019, 7:09

   Roughly 580-582 meters actually, but close enough.
5. 

   hahostolze (@hahostolze)
   4th August 2019, 7:47

   I also think two issues will be important:
   – As Keith points out, no rear gunner at Red Bull.
   – Verstappen had a pretty much flawless lap, Bottas didn’t, yet difference was only 0.018. Merc probably still the faster car. Might simply be a case of the inevitable overtake.
   1. 

      Jelle van der Meer (@)
      4th August 2019, 8:59

      True – Mercedes should have been on pole as they have the faster qualifying car. However as we have seen most of the season Red Bull is closer to Mercedes on Sunday than on Saturday. This time Max is ahead on Saturday so I expect him to be equal today.

      We have also seen Max being better on tyres and if he gets through 1st corner first has free air.

      Best scenario for Max is to have Bottas behind him then Lewis as Lewis is better at overtaking than Bottas.
      1. 

         Jeffrey (@jeffreyj)
         4th August 2019, 12:29

         Indeed, so even if RBR do stop early to prevent an undercut they will be able to keep the tires and the pace during the longer second stint, whilst keeping track position.

         Plus in dirty air the Merc is even worse than other cars.

         I really feel that if either Merc can’t get past VER at the start, the race is VER’s.
   2. 

      David (@davidjwest)
      4th August 2019, 12:37

      Not in race trim, Red Bull are quickest. We’ve seen pretty much all season Red Bull are 2-3 tenths per lap quicker in race trim vs Qually compared to Mercedes due to them not having a proper “party mode” although maybe they do have one now? They were on the pace in qually so expect an advantage in race pace.

      I expect Max to pull away at 2-3 tenths per lap or more.
6. 

   Glyn Ruck
   4th August 2019, 10:10

   Great pole. Congratulations Max for the driving, RB for the chassis & Honda for the engine. Let’s have no more talk of Max not having a competitive car. Hungaroring’s sectors clearly separate the car elements of handling, downforce & power. The Skypad side by side playback of Max & Bottas’ cars proves there is absolutely nothing in it.
7. 

   Keith Campbell (@keithedin)
   4th August 2019, 12:25

   If the top 3 get away in the current order I can see Max pulling away from Bottas, with Hamilton hounding Bottas in the first stint. Will Mercedes order Bottas to let him through?

   Or, if Max leads and the two Mercs stay close I think the P2 car will go for the undercut, forcing Max to pit while the 2nd Merc plays the long game and goes for fresher tyres at the end of the race.

   Either way, I can see Merc team orders being a factor in this race, and they might need to use them to have a chance (and not waste time discussing it mid-race – agree the strategies beforehand)

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