Max Verstappen described driving on hard tyres during the Emilia Romagna GP as ‘like driving on ice,’ nearly causing him to crash into the grandstands.
Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, faced significant challenges with the hard Pirelli tyres during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Initially leading comfortably on medium tyres, he found himself struggling to maintain grip after the switch to hard tyres.
Verstappen narrowly edged out McLaren’s Lando Norris early on, but as the race continued, he experienced severe grip issues, especially at Turn 7’s Tosa hairpin. He revealed that the tyres fell out of the optimal operating window, making it feel like he was ‘driving on ice.’ Despite these challenges, Verstappen managed to hold on for the majority of Imola’s 63-lap race.
In the latter stages, Norris managed to close the gap significantly with his upgraded McLaren MCL38. Verstappen admitted to doubts about keeping Norris behind. He focused on a strong exit onto Imola’s main straight, which was vital in preventing an overtake. Ultimately, Norris never got within the DRS range, finishing just seven-tenths behind Verstappen.
Adding to his troubles, Verstappen received a black-and-white flag for track limits, putting him at risk of a five-second penalty. He had to take extra care to avoid further infractions while also managing his understeer on the medium tyres.
Despite the difficulties, Verstappen held his ground and clinched his fifth grand prix win of the season. Post-race, he expressed relief and made it clear just how tough the race had been, with grip issues forcing him to take unusual lines and focus intensely on not making mistakes.
Max Verstappen persevered through significant tyre issues and kept his composure to secure a win at the Emilia Romagna GP. His ability to adapt and manage his driving under pressure highlighted his skill and determination.
