Max Verstappen hopes the changes that Red Bull is bringing in its car in F1 US GP will help them not only at COTA but for the rest of the 2024 season.
Having dropped behind McLaren in the F1 constructors’ standings, Red Bull is now the chasing pack. Even though the gap is not too huge, but the Woking-based outfit seems to be in a good place with its drivers and the car. It is capable enough to register regular podium finishes, if not wins.
In fact, they are expected to win every race seeing their recent performances of both the drivers. While Red Bull says it will push hard to retake the constructors’ lead, but safeguarding the drivers’ seems to be a good priority to have at the moment, where Verstappen has a lead of 52 points with six races remaining.
Even if Lando Norris wins every race along with sprint and scores the fastest lap point, when Verstappen is second behind him, the Dutchman will still win the F1 title. It is a tight rope for the Brit as such but not impossible. On the other hand, the break has given Red Bull a chance to look at themselves and make some changes.
That’s what they have done – keeping away as to what they are – as per Verstappen and the Dutchman hopes it can help them in this weekend’s US GP and the future races as well. “We have had a few weeks away from racing, giving us time to refocus and to work hard on our performance ahead of the United States Grand Prix,” he said.
“We have made some changes to the car to hopefully better suit this circuit, so will see if this makes us more competitive when we head out on track. This week will be another hectic Sprint race, with a lot planned over the weekend. Austin is a really cool city and the atmosphere at the track is like no other.
“I will be back in my US helmet for this race, which is a tribute to the passionate fans here and features the skyline of all three US cities that we are racing in. We have a lot of good memories here, so we are looking forward to heading back and racing there this week.”
Meanwhile, teammate Sergio Perez concurs: “I have been training hard back home in Mexico and in regular touch with the Team back in the UK. We are looking to come into Austin in a better place with the car, we have made some changes in the break, aimed at improving the pace and we will see how competitive we are in Austin.
“It being a Sprint race makes things a little tricky, because we have one practice session to get the car right before it counts but that’s where working as a Team comes in and that’s what we excel at.”
Here’s Christian Horner on Jonathan Wheatley
Here’s Sergio Perez, Carlos Sainz on toxic social media
Here’s Sergio Perez on apology from Red Bull
Here’s Toto Wolff brushing off Christian Horner’s claims
Here’s Sergio Perez reacting on Mexico GP rumour
Here’s link to a F1 Discord channel, join in to interact
