Max Verstappen Sounds Alarm Over Red Bull's 'Weak' Performance in Mexico

Max Verstappen has raised concerns about Red Bull's performance at the Mexico City Grand Prix, describing the RB21 as "weak" compared to its competitors. After a challenging qualifying session where he finished fifth, behind a dominant Lando Norris, Verstappen faces an uphill battle to maintain his championship hopes. The four-time world champion, who has won three of the last four races, has struggled with severe grip issues throughout the weekend, making the RB21 a difficult car to drive at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's struggles in Mexico City could have significant implications for the championship battle. After a strong run of victories, his inability to challenge for pole position and his pessimistic outlook for the race signal a potential shift in momentum. With rivals like Lando Norris showing strong pace, Red Bull's performance dip at a critical juncture could open the door for competitors to close the gap in the standings.

The details:

• Verstappen qualified fifth, well behind Lando Norris, who secured a dominant pole position.
• He has consistently complained about severe grip issues with the RB21 throughout the weekend, describing the car as "very difficult" to drive.
• Team Efforts: Verstappen confirmed that the team has "tried a lot of stuff" to resolve the issues, indicating that the problem isn't a lack of effort but rather a fundamental struggle with the car's setup for the unique conditions of the Mexico City circuit.
• Pace Deficit: Verstappen explicitly stated, "I have no pace," and predicted that even if he gains positions at Turn 1, rival cars will eventually overtake him during the race due to his car's "weak" long-run performance compared to those ahead.
• Championship Implications: While Verstappen starts two positions ahead of championship leader Oscar Piastri, his lack of pace means he's not optimistic about outscoring the Australian or keeping pace with the McLarens, which could be crucial for his title aspirations.

What's next:

Verstappen's primary goal for the race is to "stay out of trouble and just do my own race," suggesting a damage limitation strategy rather than an aggressive charge for victory. The focus will be on maximizing points despite the RB21's evident struggles. The team will need to thoroughly analyze the data from Mexico to understand why the car performed so poorly and ensure similar issues don't arise in future high-altitude or low-grip circuits, especially as the championship battle intensifies in the final races of the season.