Hezemans praises Red Bull’s ability to turn a difficult weekend around

Red Bull had a difficult start to the Mexico weekend, but Max Verstappen won the race two days later. Mike Hezemans cites that recovery as an example of the team’s strength: analysing the situation and finding adjustments with the driver. He added that when Red Bull is competitive from the outset—as he said it was in Malaysia and Singapore—Verstappen usually wins.

Hezemans points to work at the factory, in the simulator and in testing different ideas. He said the work goes beyond the aerodynamic upgrades often discussed, citing software, battery charging under braking and the many settings of the differential.

He also said the steering wheel can give an F1 car a different character. Engineers think through changes with the driver and test ideas in simulations. Hezemans said the work also involves listening to the driver and understanding what he wants. He added that the driver knows what he feels; Verstappen, he said, has a particularly good feel for the car.