Verstappen explains why Red Bull’s Baku engine problem was different from what it seemed

Max Verstappen has clarified that the engine problem which disrupted Red Bull’s qualifying in Baku was different from what it first appeared to be. After setting the fastest time in final practice and feeling progress from the upgrades, the driver had hoped to spring a surprise before an engine issue derailed his weekend.

The problem had initially appeared capable of being a deployment issue, and therefore one on the electrical side of the power unit. Verstappen explained in the Baku paddock, however, that it actually concerned the internal combustion engine. “From Q1 onwards, I had an engine problem which was costing me at least half a second compared with my team-mate,” he said. “It only got worse. In Q2 and Q3 it was a complete disaster, so I think we clearly have an engine problem.”

The Dutchman ruled out an electrical failure. “No, it was not on the electrical side. We immediately saw a problem in Q1. At that point, you still wonder whether the engine is too cold or too hot, because everything is very sensitive nowadays. But we later understood that it really was an internal combustion engine problem. It got worse and, in Q3, that engine was no longer working properly at all.”

The internal combustion engine failure then triggered a series of other difficulties on Friday afternoon. Verstappen noted a gradual loss of top speed. “On that second lap in Q3, my battery was no longer charging, but that was obviously due to the internal combustion engine problem. That causes a lot of misfires and other problems, and the system becomes completely confused.” He also explained that his battery had switched off at a moment visible in the onboard footage.

Between Turns 15 and 16, a section normally taken flat-out, his head suddenly jolted forwards. According to Verstappen, this resulted from the battery switching off. He explained that the lack of speed on the straights forced him to use more battery on corner exits in an effort to compensate, producing severe clipping. “The whole system was confused,” he added. “You spend longer on the straight because you are slow, so you use more battery. It is the same with Honda: you also see them clipping much more than the others because they have to stay flat-out longer on the straights.”

The issue also disrupted the run plan. Verstappen had to abandon his second flying lap, or what was supposed to be one, with consequences for the rest of the session. “I had to abort that lap, but then you lose so much tyre temperature, which is very important here,” he said. “You could see everyone pushing all the time and continuing to weave.” He noted that almost all drivers completed one long run in Q3, unlike in a normal session.

Only McLaren went through the pitlane. Verstappen felt that option had not been successful either, so Red Bull stayed on track. But abandoning his lap denied him the correct tyre temperature for the final attempt, while the engine was already breaking down. A yellow flag linked to Lando Norris also appeared on his final lap. “I had to leave at least two tenths in that corner,” he said.

Red Bull is still investigating the engine problem. Verstappen’s account suggests it is unlikely, though not confirmed, that he will start Saturday’s race with the same internal combustion engine. The driver said a replacement would not bring an immediate grid penalty: “If there are still question marks, we have to replace the engine. But we still have another engine available in the pool.” He nevertheless confirmed that a penalty will have to come later in the year: “There definitely has to be a penalty at some point.”

In theory, Baku appeared to be a circuit where such a penalty could be absorbed, with overtaking seemingly possible. Verstappen nevertheless qualified that view, saying every driver drains the battery on the long straight and therefore has no energy advantage to overtake.

He will therefore retain eighth place on the grid and will still target the podium on Saturday. Verstappen believes he could have started from the front row without the problem. “It is obviously a real shame, because things had been going well this week,” he said. “Maybe I would not have matched George’s time, but there is such a big gap between first and second that we definitely would have been somewhere in between.”