Max Verstappen Hails 'Positive Step' for Red Bull After Miami Sprint Qualifying

Max Verstappen expressed cautious optimism after Sprint Qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix, stating Red Bull has made a "really positive step" and feels more competitive. The four-time world champion qualified fifth, six-tenths behind pole-sitter Lando Norris but ahead of rivals from Mercedes and Ferrari, marking a significant improvement from recent struggles.

Why it matters:

After a difficult start to the 2026 season that left him ninth in the standings and Red Bull a distant sixth in the constructors' championship, any sign of progress is critical. Verstappen's positive feedback suggests the team may have found a direction to address the fundamental issues that made the RB22 "undriveable" just weeks ago in China, potentially halting their early-season slide.

The details:

• Performance Gap Closed: Verstappen explicitly stated the team has "almost halved" the performance deficit to the front, which was over a second in recent races. This was evidenced by his qualifying result, which cleared the midfield and put him within striking distance of the top four.
• Car Feel Improved: The Dutchman described the RB22 as feeling "more together" and "a bit more normal," allowing him to trust the car more and extract more lap time. This is a stark contrast to his damning assessment of the car in Shanghai.
• Persistent Weakness: Despite the progress, a key area for improvement remains. Verstappen noted the car is "still very weak" in the high-speed first sector of the Miami International Autodrome, indicating where future development must focus.

What's next:

The immediate focus shifts to the Miami Grand Prix itself, where Verstappen will start from the third row. The real test will be whether the improved single-lap performance translates into consistent race pace and points on Sunday. If Red Bull can build on this step and continue to close the gap, it could begin to reshape the lower end of the top ten and their fight with Haas and Alpine in the constructors' standings.