Shanna is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog, specializing in both F1 and endurance and GT racing. With a Master’s degree in Journalism and experience at international circuits, she provides in-depth, reliable coverage and insights based on her presence at Grands Prix and racing events worldwide.
Red Bull Racing did not get everything out of Max Verstappen’s car in Austin. Team principal Laurent Mekies admitted as much after the Dutchman finished third. Several minor problems made the race more difficult, while the starts remain a weakness. Red Bull will only be able to address some of those issues next season.
Verstappen started the United States Grand Prix from second place, but had to settle for finishing behind both Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc. Red Bull brought him in early for his first tyre change. Antonelli was able to win with a single pit stop and remained out of reach.
Asked whether Red Bull had hoped Antonelli would also have to pit early, Mekies admitted that the Mercedes driver was simply too fast. “Kimi was definitely too strong for us today. Credit to him—he did a great job,” Mekies told Viaplay.
Red Bull made mistakes in Austin
Verstappen had a more difficult afternoon. After the race, he complained about the car’s pace, the tyre choice, a pit stop and the engine braking. Mekies said several issues had accumulated as the race went on.
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“We were a little less sharp today,” he admitted. “There were a lot of minor problems that added up. As a result, we had a little less pace and more tyre wear, which made the race considerably more complicated.”
Red Bull had saved two new sets of soft tyres for Verstappen, but the strategy did not deliver the hoped-for result. After Leclerc passed him for second place, Lewis Hamilton also closed in during the final stages. A late Virtual Safety Car, triggered when Valtteri Bottas stopped on track, helped Verstappen hold on to his podium finish.
“We finished third, but we know we probably didn’t get everything out of the car today. We’ll learn from that,” Mekies said.
Some weaknesses will remain until next season
The starts also came up after the race. They have caused Red Bull problems several times this season, and Mekies said those weaknesses become more costly when the team is fighting near the front.
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That’s part of the first year we’re in. When you have the pace to get closer to the front, weaknesses like these cost you more [time],” he said.
The team principal expects Red Bull can still make progress, but is not promising a complete fix before the end of the season. “The team is making progress, including in these areas. We know there are some things we can no longer improve this year. We’ll use this race to make sure we have the right tools to do so next year,” he concluded.
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