Verstappen: Red Bull's upgrade halved deficit, but car still not ideal

Max Verstappen says Red Bull has "almost halved the gap" to its Formula 1 rivals following a major upgrade package introduced at the Miami Grand Prix, though he admits the RB22 is still not where he wants it to be. The Dutch driver qualified a season-best fifth for the Sprint, finishing within six-tenths of pole position after previously being over a second adrift.

Why it matters:

For a team and driver of Red Bull and Verstappen's championship-winning pedigree, starting the 2026 season significantly off the pace was a major concern. The clear step forward in Miami validates the team's development direction and provides a crucial morale boost, but Verstappen's caveat about the car's remaining weaknesses highlights that the fight to return to the very front is far from over.

The details:

• The Miami upgrade was substantial, featuring seven new parts with six focused on performance. Key changes included a new 'Macarena' rear wing concept (similar to Ferrari's design), revised sidepod inlets, a new engine cover, updated mirror supports, a new rear corner, a fresh floor, and a new front wing.
• Verstappen's feedback was cautiously optimistic. He stated the car now feels "more together" and "a bit more normal," allowing him to trust it more and extract more performance. His qualifying gap to pole-sitter Lando Norris was 0.592 seconds, a marked improvement from previous races.
• A Persistent Weakness: Despite the gains, Verstappen explicitly noted the car remains "very weak in the first sector," which at the Miami circuit is predominantly high-speed corners. This identifies a clear target for the team's next development phase.
• Teammate Contrast: The performance gap within the team was stark. Teammate Isack Hadjar, while also making it into the top-ten shootout (SQ3), was nearly a full second slower than Verstappen in qualifying, leaving him perplexed by the sudden deficit.

What's next:

The immediate focus shifts to converting the improved single-lap pace into strong race results in Miami. Long-term, the team now has a tangible benchmark showing its development path is working. Closing the remaining gap, particularly in high-speed corners, will be the next critical challenge. For Verstappen, who sits ninth in the Drivers' Championship, consistent points finishes are now a realistic target to climb the standings.