Christian Horner was full of praise for Max Verstappen’s podium finish at the United States Grand Prix, highlighting that it was exactly what Red Bull Racing needed as they continue to claw back performance in the 2024 season. The Dutch driver took third place, finishing ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris—a result Horner described as a crucial moment for the team.
After enduring a dip in form following the Singapore GP, where Verstappen openly discussed the RB20’s handling issues, the upgrades introduced at the Circuit of the Americas have brought much-needed relief. Red Bull saw a return to form, with Verstappen winning the sprint race and securing P3 in Sunday’s main event.
For Horner, this was precisely what Red Bull had set out to achieve after recent struggles. “This is exactly what we were hoping for after Singapore,” he stated.
Red Bull’s Troubles and the Turnaround
Since the 2023 season, Red Bull has grappled with significant balance issues in the RB20. The disconnect between the front and rear of the car caused difficulties, particularly in high-speed corners, where tire wear and inconsistent handling hampered the team’s performance.
Horner acknowledged that the upgrades introduced ahead of Austin were not extensive, but they proved effective in addressing the imbalance in the car. “What we have done is bring the balance a bit closer together,” Horner explained, emphasizing that the goal was to align the front and rear of the car for more consistent performance.
Verstappen’s results in Austin demonstrated the improvements. He dominated the sprint race, signaling that the car upgrades were yielding positive results. Although he fell short of a victory in the main race, finishing behind the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, Horner remained upbeat about the performance.
“He [Verstappen] was happy with the car from the moment we arrived here. So that is encouraging for the races that are still on the program,” Horner said, expressing confidence that the upgrades would continue to pay dividends in the remaining rounds.
Beating Norris: A Key Milestone
Verstappen’s third-place finish also marked the first time since the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa that he finished ahead of Norris, his closest championship rival. This result was vital for Red Bull, as Norris and McLaren had been closing the gap on Red Bull in recent races.
“This is the first time we’ve scored more than Lando since I think Spa,” Horner pointed out, emphasizing the significance of outpacing McLaren’s rising star. “That shows why it was important for us to come back from that deficit and get back ahead.”
Eyes on the Championship
Despite the improvements, Verstappen knows there is still work to be done. He holds a 57-point lead in the drivers’ championship, but with five races left, the title is far from secured. Verstappen himself has acknowledged that in Formula 1, “nothing is guaranteed” and that maintaining the current lead is crucial.
For Red Bull, the US Grand Prix marked a key step in re-establishing their dominance. As they continue to refine their RB20 with just a handful of races left, the team is determined to carry this momentum forward and secure both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles. With their performance gap to McLaren narrowing, the final stretch of the season promises to be a thrilling showdown.
