Verstappen Eyes Austin Improvements: 'We’re Pushing Hard'

Max Verstappen is aiming for a strong performance at the United States Grand Prix, building on his recent "strong run of races." After two consecutive wins in Italy and Azerbaijan, and a P2 finish in Singapore, the Red Bull driver is back at the factory, utilizing the simulator to fine-tune his approach for the Circuit of The Americas.

Why it matters:

Red Bull and Verstappen are pushing to regain championship form after a challenging mid-season. With Verstappen currently P3 in the drivers' standings, 63 points behind leader Oscar Piastri, consistent strong results are crucial to close the gap and keep their title hopes alive in a highly competitive season.

The Details:

• Verstappen secured wins at the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix, demonstrating a recovery in form after initial struggles with the RB21.
• He followed this with a P2 finish at the Singapore Grand Prix, behind race winner George Russell, which he described as "a positive step."
• Preparation: Verstappen has been at the Red Bull factory, working on the simulator to analyze areas for improvement ahead of the Austin race.
• Circuit Challenges: The Circuit of The Americas (COTA) requires a delicate balance in car setup, optimizing between straight-line speed and downforce for its fast, sweeping corners. The track's notorious bumps also add a layer of complexity.
• Sprint Weekend: Austin will host another Sprint weekend, which means less practice time to perfect the car's setup, posing a challenge for all teams to quickly get on top of things.

The Big Picture:

Verstappen is currently in P3 in the world championship with 273 points, 63 points adrift of championship leader Oscar Piastri (336 points). While some, like 1997 champion Jacques Villeneuve, still back Verstappen to secure his fifth world title, Verstappen himself has tempered expectations, warning Red Bull they "need to dominate" the remaining races to have any chance.

What's next:

The upcoming United States Grand Prix is a critical opportunity for Verstappen and Red Bull to capitalize on their recent momentum. Success at COTA would be a significant boost in their championship pursuit, especially given the reduced practice time of a Sprint weekend, which rewards teams that can quickly adapt and find optimal setups.