Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing on Saturday of the Mexican Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen refutes Red Bull Mexico myth, says they are 'not good' here

08:58, 26 Oct

Updated: 09:00, 26 Oct

byShayni Solanki

Max Verstappen refutes claims that Red Bull performs better than McLaren at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, saying that Red Bull was "not good here last year."

The four-time world champion was named as the favourite for qualifying and for the victory heading into the Mexican Grand Prix, with his recent string of wins building on his title fight momentum.

However, Verstappen struggled after topping FP2 and only managed to qualify in fifth place, sandwiched between the two Mercedes drivers.

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen told the press after qualifying: "We were not good here last year.

"It's not that... I mean, people always think you've won here five times, so you need to be good here. But last year we were not good as well.

"In the years before, we probably had a big advantage to not really suffer, and now definitely we are not good.

"I mean I will figure it out myself tomorrow. If I have the opportunity to go for it, but I'm worried about our own pace, because it hasn't been good for me this weekend.

"I'm experienced enough to know what I have to do and what not."

The Dutchman has struggled throughout the weekend with pace, failing to match his closest rival, Lando Norris, who scored pole position during qualifying yesterday.

Norris beat out the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who settled for second and third, respectively, and is likely to rebuild a points gap to Verstappen in the race.

There has been lots of discussion around Verstappen's bid to earn his fifth consecutive Drivers' Championship this season, having won three of the last four races since the summer break.

Verstappen only has a 26-point deficit to Norris in second place, and a 40-point gap to the championship leader Oscar Piastri.

It has so far been an awful weekend for the championship leader, who has struggled with the McLaren and qualified in eighth place.

While Verstappen does not believe that Red Bull will perform better than McLaren, he can certainly gain some points on Piastri if he holds track position.

Last season saw Red Bull lose their podium streak in Mexico, with neither Verstappen nor Sergio Perez making the podium.

However, their previous outings here have seen three victories for Verstappen and two podiums for Perez since 2021.

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