Max Verstappen has outlined how Red Bull needs to be “more competitive” if it is to have any hope of taking the Formula 1 title fight to McLaren.
The Dutchman was able to take a small chunk out of title-leader Oscar Piastri’s advantage with second place in the Canadian Grand Prix, finishing second with the Australian only managing fourth.
Verstappen has continuously stated throughout the campaign that he is not in contention to win a fifth straight championship, and that the Woking-based squad is the one to beat.
He reiterated this after the race in Montreal, denying that his result was a sign of improvement, admitting he did not feel as if he “had the pace to do anything” to stop eventual winner George Russell.
Verstappen has now repeated his claims that McLaren is still in the ascendancy, and stressed the need for Red Bull to put in the hours to make the RB21 more consistently competitive.
“A lot needs to happen for that, to be honest,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “We need to start winning races more often. And how do we do that? By being more competitive.
“Now, this was a good weekend, but again, not competitive enough. Like I said before, we have our moments where maybe we can win here or there, but we just need to make the car faster. Then we make it a lot easier for ourselves. We’re working hard on it with the team.”
‘Bits are coming,’ says Verstappen as McLaren ‘by far’ the favourites
Verstappen revealed that Red Bull is bringing more upgrades to the troublesome package, and will be toiling to ensure it makes it more competitive as the second half of the season approaches.
“Of course, bits are coming, but is it going to be enough? I don’t know,” he said. “It’s small margins in this world that can give you better results every single weekend.
“But what I think so far, what McLaren has shown this whole season is quite extraordinary and difficult to beat. So now, OK, one weekend is not as good, but they are still by far the favourites.
“And that’s not going to be something that is easily beaten. But the coming races, we really want to try and improve our car.”
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