Max Verstappen has made it clear that despite a promising outing in Austin, Red Bull Racing still has significant work to do to secure consistent victories in the 2024 Formula 1 season. The Dutchman, who took the sprint race win at the United States Grand Prix, admitted that while the team showed progress, they fell short of converting those improvements into a full race victory.
Verstappen’s winless streak stretched back to June, and though he finally broke that dry spell with a commanding performance in the Austin sprint, he was left searching for more during Sunday’s main event. Reflecting on the weekend, Verstappen acknowledged that Red Bull’s upgrades were a step in the right direction, but additional refinements were necessary to return to their dominant form.
“We made some good steps in Austin and saw some promising improvements with the car, but it wasn’t quite enough for the race,” said Verstappen. “The team is working hard to iron out these issues.”
Despite the missed opportunity to win the main event, Verstappen emphasized that the sprint victory boosted morale within the team as they look to regain momentum. Currently holding a 57-point lead in the drivers’ standings over his closest rival, Lando Norris, Verstappen is focused on maintaining that advantage.
With the Mexican Grand Prix approaching as the second race in a crucial triple-header, Verstappen underlined the importance of building on the progress made in Austin and securing critical points for both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
“We are heading into the second race of the triple header, so it will be about keeping this momentum going forward and continuing to gain crucial points in the championship,” Verstappen added.
The reigning world champion’s confidence is buoyed by the positive steps taken in Texas, but Red Bull’s championship hopes are on a knife’s edge. The Milton Keynes squad leads Ferrari by a razor-thin margin of just eight points in the constructors’ standings, leaving little room for error as the season’s final races approach.
For Red Bull, the upcoming Mexico GP presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The team will need to push to the limit if they are to fend off McLaren’s charge and claw back crucial ground in both championships. The fight for the constructors’ title is slipping from their grasp, but Verstappen remains laser-focused on retaining his drivers’ crown.
As the paddock heads to Mexico, all eyes will be on whether Red Bull can finally “iron out” the lingering issues that have plagued them in recent months and get back to winning ways.
