Verstappen hails Red Bull's 'crazy' car transformation after Miami surge

A major upgrade package has transformed Red Bull's RB23 from a midfield struggler into a car capable of challenging Mercedes for pole position, a turnaround Max Verstappen described as "completely crazy" compared to its form just weeks ago. The four-time champion immediately clicked with the revised car, regaining the front-end responsiveness and control he desperately missed, which allowed him to secure a front-row start in Miami.

Why it matters:

This dramatic improvement signals that Red Bull has successfully diagnosed and addressed the fundamental flaws that plagued its 2024 car, potentially rescuing its season from mediocrity. For Verstappen, regaining a predictable and responsive machine is crucial to unleashing his aggressive driving style, while for the team, it proves they can develop their way back into contention against top rivals like Mercedes and Ferrari.

The details:

• Night-and-Day Difference: Verstappen stated the car previously made him feel like "a total passenger," with unpredictable handling that could shift from understeer to a sudden snap without any setup changes. The upgrade, which includes an extreme version of Ferrari's rotating rear wing concept, has made the car feel "a lot more together."
• Driver Confidence Restored: The key gain is intangible but critical: Verstappen now has the confidence to push. He can use his steering inputs to rotate the car aggressively but controllably, a feeling he lacked earlier in the season when he was contained by the car's limits.
• Progress Through the Weekend: The improvement was consistent, showing it wasn't a one-off. The car was more competitive in Sprint Qualifying, then showed strong race pace in the Sprint itself as Verstappen closed on the Mercedes, and was even better in main qualifying after only minor setup tweaks.
• Teammate Contrast: While Verstappen flourished, Isack Hadjar struggled more to extract the same performance, hinting the car's improvements might be particularly suited to Verstappen's driving style. Hadjar cited a straight-line speed deficit and the challenge of adapting as quickly as his teammate.

What's next:

The immediate question is whether Red Bull can convert its new qualifying speed into a strong race result in Miami and maintain this form at upcoming circuits. The team acknowledges it doesn't yet fully understand everything about the car, so further refinement is possible. More broadly, this turnaround revives Red Bull's ambitions for the season, proving they have the capability to develop their way back to the front of the midfield—or perhaps even further.