According to Max Verstappen, McLaren has put together “very extraordinary” performances so far this season, and Red Bull believes improvements are needed soon so that he can stay in the fight for the driver’s championship.
Oscar Piastri led Rand Norris with 22 points before heading to the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend, with Verstappen scoring 43 points as Championship Leader. McLaren won seven of his first 10 races this year (5 in Piastri and two in Norris. Verstappen says Red Bull can effectively update the car and challenge the title in upcoming races.
“To be honest, a lot needs to happen for that,” Verstappen said of his hopes to fight Piastri. “We need to win races more often. And how do we do that? By making ourselves more competitive. Now (Canada) was a good weekend, but again, we weren’t competitive.
“There are moments where we may be able to win here and there, but we need to make the car faster. Then we make it much easier. We’re working hard with our team. Of course, the bits are coming, but isn’t that enough?
“But so far, what McLaren has shown this whole season is so extraordinarily difficult to beat. So now, one weekend isn’t that good, but they’re still a favorite.
McLaren had an advantage at most venues, but Verstappen still managed to get two wins and finish second in three. Team Principal Christian Horner said the time remaining in the season will allow for turnarounds.
“Point gap – there’s still a big point gap between us and them, but we’re not giving up anything,” Horner said. “We’re not even at the middle point yet, so there’s a lot of races, a lot of sprint races coming, and if we can get a performance in the car, no one will give up anything.”
The next sprint event will be held at the Belgian Grand Prix following up on the upcoming doubleheaders in Austria and the UK, but the season will end with three sprint races in the final six rounds of Brazil and Qatar.