Melbourne - A frustrated world champion Max Verstappen said it was "unacceptable" that he was not able to finish the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday after his Red Bull broke down when he looked destined for second.
It was the second time in the opening three races of the season that the Dutchman had failed to go the distance after also retiring in Bahrain.
"We are so far behind (Ferrari). We need to finish races," Verstappen said after pulling over on lap 39 at Albert Park when running second to winner Charles Leclerc's Ferrari.
"I smell some weird fluid" Verstappen reported over team radio before stopping the car, jumping out and grabbing a fire extinguisher to help marshals to put out flames.
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Heartbreak for Max Verstappen in Australia 💔
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 10, 2022
An podium opportunity missed for the Dutchman after a strong showing ended prematurely with a car problem 😫#AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/DXeOAe1r4X
"Today was a bad day, I was managing the tyres, I could not fight Charles," he added.
"It was an easy P2 but we didn't even finish the race -- frustrating and unacceptable. These kind of things, if you want to fight for the title, are unacceptable."
Verstappen hasn't been happy all weekend, saying after qualifying second that he did not feel happy with his Red Bull.
DRIVER STANDINGS 📊@Charles_Leclerc increases his championship lead to a larger margin than anyone did in 2021! 🤩
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 10, 2022
And, @GeorgeRussell63 makes a move into P2 👀#AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/uKUgMpR1UT
"I never felt comfortable for one lap except the long runs," he said, blaming it on balance issues.
The 24-year-old also moaned after organisers cut the number of drag reduction system (DRS) zones to three from four for safety reasons.
DRS allows drivers within one second of the car in front to open a flap mounted on the rear wing to increase top speed and aid overtaking.
Red Bull are considered quicker on the straight than the Ferrari, so more DRS zones would have favoured them.
AFP
