Max Verstappen has revealed that issues with Red Bull’s Formula 1 car in the closing stages contributed to his clash with Lando Norris in the United States Grand Prix.
Red Bull introduced upgrades at the previous round in Austin which appeared to have produced an improvement upon the balance woes it had endured with the RB20.
Verstappen capitalised on the new parts to collect his first win since June with a success in the Sprint, while he also qualified on the front row for the main Grand Prix.
But while he maintained second place across the opening stint, Verstappen was unable to equal Charles Leclerc’s lap times in the Ferrari to dispel his victory chances.
The Dutchman dropped to third during the pit stops and Norris then also overtook him, but a pass outside track limits saw him penalised and the two swapped places.
McLaren claimed that Verstappen going deep pushed its driver wide at Turn 12, while Norris has since asserted that his title rival’s intentions were “clear” in their fight.
However, Verstappen has divulged that the problems he was combating with his car in the closing laps contributed to his contentious move to run Norris off the track.
“It was quite a difficult second stint,” Verstappen told media including Motorsport Week in Mexico. “I lost a lot of grip on the front axle. It was very difficult to brake.
“I think that’s what made my defence more difficult, because I knew that if I would brake a little bit too late, I could lock up and I really didn’t have the front grip.”
Red Bull on the right direction
Verstappen has expressed that the event represented a promising step in the right direction, despite admitting that he hadn’t anticipated Red Bull’s issues in race trim.
“So, yeah, it wasn’t easy for me out there,” he continued.
“I think all in all, it was still a positive weekend for us, but still a few things, of course, that we want to do better to be in that fight.
“Because I honestly believed going into the race that I would be in the fight, and we weren’t, so that wasn’t ideal.
“But at least it did show some promising signs that maybe we could be back in the fight.”
Asked whether he understood the reason behind the car’s handling changing come the race, Verstappen replied: “No, but even if I knew, I wouldn’t say it.”
Verstappen happier with RB20 balance
Verstappen insists the developments that Red Bull brought to the Circuit of the Americas resolved the balance disconnect which had made the RB20 into a “monster”.
“It was definitely [a] performance [upgrade],” he added. “The car felt a bit more in control. At least more balanced, that’s what we were looking for as well.”
However, the reigning F1 champion has confirmed that Red Bull won’t be supporting that with more updates in Mexico weekend to further bolster its competitiveness.
Pressed on whether more changes were coming to this round, he concluded: “No, not for now. For here, it’s just cooling.”
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