Analyst Peter Windsor has pointed to Red Bull’s strategy as a key factor in Max Verstappen missing out on victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The decision to start the race on the medium compound tyre proved to be a significant disadvantage for the Dutchman. George Russell ultimately won the race for Mercedes.
Verstappen, who started from a frustrating eighth on the grid after issues in qualifying, found the medium tyre difficult in the initial phase of the race. He described the first stint as “very tricky”, stating the medium compound lacked the grip of the softs and that he was just trying to survive.
Windsor noted that drivers on the medium tyre, like Verstappen, were desperate for a safety car. Verstappen himself was heard on the radio suggesting a stop for soft tyres as the mediums were getting progressively worse. Red Bull’s pit wall, however, maintained that an early stop would drop him into too much traffic.
The race dynamic changed following a safety car period. Verstappen, along with Russell, switched to the soft compound and their pace immediately increased. “Once we were on that soft tyre, it felt a lot better, just miles faster,” Verstappen commented after the race.
On the faster soft tyres, Verstappen and Russell pulled away from the rest of the field. Verstappen was able to pass Oscar Piastri for second place at the restart and began to challenge Russell for the lead. The final laps saw a tense battle between the two drivers.
Despite closing in on Russell, Verstappen could not complete the overtake and finished just 0.196 seconds behind the Mercedes driver. He noted that a late yellow flag allowed him to get close on the final lap after Russell lost some power, but it was not enough for the win.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies defended the team’s strategy, stating they had considered all scenarios. He acknowledged Verstappen was struggling on the medium tyre but felt holding position and waiting for a safety car offered the best chance to challenge the leaders.
Verstappen’s teammate, Isack Hadjar, who started on the soft tyres, finished third to secure a double podium for Red Bull. Hadjar had appeared quicker than Verstappen during the medium-tyre stint but the team opted not to issue team orders.
