P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen reported feeling his Red Bull was “broken” during the first free practice session, but Laurent Mekies has allayed those fears — and explained why it was a good thing.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed that Max Verstappen’s RB21 is in good shape after the Dutchman complained about it being “broken” during FP1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Despite initial worries at the Milton Keynes-based squad, concerns have been resolved. Verstappen expressed dissatisfaction with his car during the opening hour of running at the Yas Marina Circuit, indicating that something was amiss during his longer run. Mekies assured that the car was not actually broken, emphasizing the challenge of achieving a good balance on the demanding track. While Verstappen trails Norris by 12 points in the standings, the issues highlighted potential areas for improvement rather than fundamental problems with the car.
