Max Verstappen has expressed surprise at the significant improvement of Red Bull, which has achieved an unexpected second place in the Formula 1 qualification in Miami. While in the last race in Japan he could not access Q3, in Miami he has secured a privileged position for Sunday’s race.
In a humorous tone, the four-time world champion indicated that those who bet on his starting position must also have made money. However, he acknowledged that he did not expect such a high performance and that the initial goal was to get closer to the leading group, which for him usually meant a seventh position.
In the press conference following the qualification, Verstappen underscored that the remarkable turnaround in performance is not solely due to technical improvements. He explained that he feels more comfortable with the RB22 and that he can now push harder than in the first three races of the season.
When asked about the origin of this change, Verstappen pointed to a problem with the steering system that they had managed to resolve during the spring break. “Since my first lap in the Barcelona test, I noticed that something was not working correctly with the steering,” he said, adding that it had been difficult to identify the problem.
Red Bull completely changed the steering and related components to ensure that all possible causes were addressed. Verstappen noticed this improvement during a filming day at Silverstone, and this positive trend has continued in Miami.
Besides the improvements in steering, the team has presented a significant upgrade package, which includes a thorough revision of the sidepods and a new floor design, as well as a version of the famous ‘Macarena wing’. Verstappen emphasized that the fact that Red Bull has reduced the gap with the leading teams by approximately one second is remarkable, especially considering that rivals like McLaren and Ferrari have also introduced significant updates.
Verstappen has acknowledged that this improvement will be crucial for team morale. “After the first three races, it’s evident that we needed this boost,” claiming that this creates a good atmosphere within the team. The driver compared this situation to a football player who, after seven concessions, begins to score goals, providing a confidence boost.
This progression comes after announcing that Gianpiero Lambiase will leave the team in 2028, a change that is part of a wider trend of renewal in the Red Bull formation, as team principal Laurent Mekies has acknowledged. Verstappen indicated the importance of showing that Red Bull can overcome challenging situations, assuring that while he has no doubts about the team, he was interested in seeing the effect a big upgrade would have.
According to the driver, there is still work to be done, but this second place is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
