Verstappen hurt by throttle response issue
Max Verstappen's struggles throughout the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix stemmed from the throttle response of his Red Bull Formula 1 car not doing what he wanted.

Following his pitstop on lap 25, Verstappen bemoaned multiple issues throughout the subsequent laps, suggesting he had a "handbrake effect" on the exit of the corners.
Verstappen was eventually told he would have to "live with it" as the Red Bull team was unable to fix the problem from the pitwall.
He later explained that there were issues with delay when getting on the throttle, a problem which has cropped up on other occasions throughout 2019.
When asked to explain his problems, Verstappen said: "Torque holes and throttle. There was some delays and stuff so it was not great. And we couldn't fix it. So we drove around the problem, but at the end of the day it wouldn't have made a difference to the result.
"When I go on throttle, it's not doing what I want. It did cost me laptime but like I said, it's wouldn't have given me the win today. The race was alright, just a bit of a shame, of course, about the first lap but then I think we had a good first stint, we were long.
"Once we then put the hard tyres on the pace was decent, I could get by Charles and I could just do my own race. Lewis was too quick, so I was just focusing on my race and laptimes."
Read Also:
When asked by Motorsport.com whether the team could diagnose his issue, Verstappen explained that the team had not explicitly told him what the cause of the problem was.
"Most of the time it's fine for me. Today, I'm not sure yet what happened exactly because they didn't want to tell me on the radio.
"They just said that there was nothing they could do from their side, so it also doesn't matter what it is. I'll have to find out."

Previous article
Norris says he was a "s*** driver" in Perez defeat
Next article
Ferrari fined for 5kg fuel discrepancy, Leclerc keeps podium

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Event | Abu Dhabi GP |
Drivers | Max Verstappen |
Teams | Red Bull Racing |
Author | Jake Boxall-Legge |
Verstappen hurt by throttle response issue
Trending
How Do Drivers Stay Fit For F1 Grand Prix?
Ronnie Peterson and Jochen Rindt Tribute
#ThinkingForward with Juan Pablo Montoya
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says Nigel Roebuck.
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Is Formula 1 as good as it has ever been now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his teammate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen's emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber teammate's own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here's how Nick Heidfeld's career was chilled by the Iceman.
The nightmare timing that now hinders Mercedes
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton took victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite, for a change, not having the quickest car. But any hopes of developing its W12 to surpass Red Bull's RB16B in terms of outright speed could not have come at a worse time.
How Verstappen's Bahrain mistake can only make him stronger
Max Verstappen lost out to Lewis Hamilton at the Bahrain Grand Prix by a tiny margin, slipping off the track just as victory was within his grasp. But the painful lesson from defeat can only help Verstappen come back even stronger