Max Verstappen is not entirely satisfied with his Red Bull's performance, even after a solid P5 in Miami's Sprint Qualifying. The Dutchman is hopeful after recent upgrades, but acknowledges there's still work to be done.
Max Verstappen, ever the perfectionist, finds himself starting fifth in Miami's Sprint after a promising performance in qualifying. The Red Bull driver, while pleased with the progress, admits his car isn't quite where he wants it yet.
Verstappen will share the third row on Saturday, having outpaced the likes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. Despite being six-tenths off Lando Norris, who clinched pole, Verstappen sees the glass half full. "It's a positive step for us," he noted, relieved to escape the midfield melee thanks to some timely upgrades, including a nod to Ferrari's intriguing 'flip-flop' rear wing.
"The car feels more together," Verstappen said. "We've halved the gap from being over a second behind in recent races. The first sector still needs work — it's high-speed, and that's where we're lacking. But overall, the car's more cohesive, and I feel I can push it a bit more."
Meanwhile, his teammate Isack Hadjar wasn't quite as upbeat. Qualifying ninth and trailing Verstappen by a second, Hadjar was left scratching his head. "I got into SQ3, so there's that, but I shouldn't be a second off. I've been consistently within a tenth all year when it mattered," he remarked, puzzled by the sudden gap.
The upgrades have certainly given Red Bull a shot in the arm, but there's no resting easy. Verstappen's drive and determination remain unflagging, as he continues to push the team toward perfection, one race at a time.