Verstappen reveals performance impact from Red Bull's Miami upgrades

08:15, 04 May

Updated: 08:43, 04 May

byNorberto Mujica

Max Verstappen got his 43rd pole position yesterday in Miami. The Dutchman notes Red Bull Racing's upgrades improving the RB21's one-lap pace. Although, in race trim, the story could be quite different.

Speaking to media after the qualifying session in the Miami International Autodrome, including GPblog, Verstappen weighed in on whether the Austrians' upgrades had done the trick on the RB21.

"We are still struggling a little bit with our limitations in the car, but I do think that we've been quite decent over a lap, if you look at the cornering."

Upgrades work, but Verstappen sees there's more work for Red Bull's technical staff to do

As Red Bull's team principal Christian Horner and chief advisor Helmut Marko noted after friday's sprint qualifying, Red Bull seem to be down on straight line speed to its rivals, McLaren and Mercedes. Verstappen sees this too and he knows what the reason behind that is.

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"We're a bit slow on the straight this week. Then I think especially McLaren and Mercedes, and they took a new engine, and of course that always gives a little bit more power than a used engine."

Overall, what's Verstappen's verdict on the RB21's upgrades so far?

"It seems like it's a little bit better. Of course, the long run is a different story. The tyres get really hot around here. But of course tomorrow I don't know what will happen in terms of rain or not, how warm it will be. To be honest, the colder it is I think the better."

A step in the right direction, but there's more work to be done, seems to be the Dutchman's conclusion.