Palmer: Verstappen’s pace made the difference at Sepang

Jolyon Palmer put Max Verstappen’s first win of the season at Sepang down to pace: Red Bull’s speed on the straights, he said on the F1 Nation podcast after the race, gave the Dutchman a car he could attack with.

Palmer pointed to Verstappen getting past George Russell before overtaking Kimi Antonelli for the lead. Once Verstappen was ahead, Palmer felt the victory was effectively secured. He also recalled Red Bull taking upgrades to Baku, where the team had come close to winning.

Palmer said Verstappen was regularly a second per lap faster than team-mate Isack Hadjar, particularly in the first stint. On Verstappen’s pole lap, he said the lap was good but Red Bull had the fastest car over one lap.

A technical analysis of Red Bull’s weekend noted the wet, changing grip at Sepang, while saying the circuit’s long straights and medium-speed corners suited the RB22. It also credited the power unit, though energy management was less decisive than expected. Team principal Laurent Mekies said the Baku upgrade contributed to the team’s progress as part of a wider effort on the chassis and power unit, and warned that rivals would respond.

Palmer said Verstappen’s many remarkable wins have made it harder to identify his very best performances. Even so, he rated the Sepang victory above average and excellent.