Max Verstappen has opened up on where Red Bull needs to develop its 2025 Formula 1 challenger to improve against its rivals.
Despite coming into the Japanese Grand Prix second in the Drivers’ standings, Verstappen has been consistent in saying the RB21 is no match for the likes of McLaren.
Third in the Chinese Sprint after a surprise front row start, the Dutchman claimed to be “hanging on” as he held third place, before being resigned to fourth in the GP.
Verstappen’s inability to get into the race-winning conversation comes amid drivability concerns with the RB21, which has already cost Liam Lawson his seat alongside the Dutchman after just two races.
Asked to pinpoint exactly where the RB21 is suffering, Verstappen told select media, including Motorsport Week, “I think it’s a combination of a lot of things.
“It also depends on the corner speed, the tarmac, tyres, overheating, bumps, and kerbs.
“There are a lot of different things, and some tracks are more limiting than others. It depends a lot on the track layout as well.”
Where is Red Bull looking to improve?
The Dutchman said that the Red Bull team is focusing on through corner balance, and making the RB21 move drivable, rather than chasing ultimate performance.
“We are focusing on making the car more drivable,” he said.
“I don’t think we are there yet, but we are working on it.
“Last week we had good meetings in the factory with everyone involved to try and address the things we want to address in the car.
“Find more balance and, of course, at the end, more pace in the car.”
After claims were made last year that Red Bull only seriously considered Verstappen’s issues from the Hungary GP onwards, Verstappen admitted: “I think from the last half of the season, everyone was well aware of where we had to look.”
But the Dutchman was clear that everyone within Red Bull is on the same page to improve the development of the RB21.
“We are always actively discussing, but some issues are easier to solve than others, and some are more difficult,” he said.
“Everyone is trying their hardest and their very best to make the car faster at the end of the day.”
Can Red Bull catch McLaren?
With the likes of George Russell claiming McLaren is an unbeatable adversary at the front of the field, Verstappen has admitted Red Bull isn’t able to catch the papaya machines just yet.
“Every track is a bit different, but at the moment, they are quite comfortably ahead,” Verstappen claimed.
“Never say never. We come to every race, we try to get the best out of the car, and we try to optimise our performances.
“Of course, at the moment, I don’t think even if we optimise our performance, that is enough, but we keep working.”
While everyone is trying their best at Red Bull to improve, Verstappen is unsure if that will be enough to overcome McLaren by the end of the current campaign.
“We’re trying to have the performance, of course, coming this year still,” he said.
“If it’s going to be enough to beat McLaren, it’s very difficult to say.
“The others are also improving, trying to find performance.
“It’s not going to be that straightforward, but I know that everyone is trying their very best to find more performance.”
READ MORE – Max Verstappen lacking ‘confidence’ in Red Bull RB21 after F1 Japanese GP practice
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