Verstappen Expresses Red Bull Concerns Despite USGP Sprint Victory

Max Verstappen secured a dominant victory in the United States Grand Prix Sprint, but the Red Bull driver voiced concerns about his RB21's performance, particularly with rear grip. Despite converting pole position into a win ahead of George Russell and Carlos Sainz, Verstappen believes significant improvements are needed before qualifying and Sunday's main race, especially with the McLarens' true pace yet to be seen.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's concerns highlight the competitive pressures Red Bull faces, even after a seemingly comfortable sprint win. In a season where Red Bull has largely been untouchable, any struggles with car balance, especially with the McLarens showing strong pace, could signal a shift in the competitive landscape. Addressing these issues is crucial for maintaining their dominance and for Verstappen to further extend his championship lead.

The details:

• Verstappen started from sprint pole and led the race to claim victory at the Circuit of the Americas.
• The race was marred by a multi-car collision at Turn 1 involving McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as well as Nico Hulkenberg and Fernando Alonso, which brought out a Safety Car.
• Verstappen reduced his deficit to Piastri in the Drivers' Championship to 55 points following the sprint result.
• Rear Grip Issues: Verstappen visibly struggled with a lack of rear grip, reporting over team radio that the car was sliding on the exit of several corners. He emphasized the need to address this before qualifying.
• Post-Safety Car Pace: The Dutchman noted that it took a few laps after the Safety Car restart to find a decent pace, indicating an area for improvement in race trim.

What's next:

Red Bull will be working intensively to understand and resolve the rear grip issues and optimize the RB21's race trim. Verstappen's comments suggest that despite the sprint win, the team acknowledges the need for better performance to counter the potential threat from McLaren, whose true pace in a full race distance remains largely unknown after the sprint incident. The focus will be on qualifying to secure a strong grid position and ensuring the car is better balanced for the main Grand Prix. If these issues are not resolved, the USGP could prove to be a more challenging weekend for Red Bull than initially anticipated, potentially allowing rivals to close the gap.