Verstappen Eyes Continued Progress with Red Bull's Recent Upgrades

Max Verstappen is hopeful that Red Bull can sustain their recent progress as they approach the Hungarian Grand Prix. The team has seen a boost in performance since rolling out major upgrades in Austria, and Verstappen has been putting these enhancements to good use.

After a steady start to the season under F1's new regulations, Red Bull introduced a significant upgrade package for their RB22 car three races ago. The changes have already borne fruit, with Verstappen securing podium finishes at both the Red Bull Ring and Spa-Francorchamps. A podium at Silverstone slipped through his fingers due to a troublesome 'macarena' rear wing, which has since been removed in pursuit of further improvements.

As the team gears up for the last race before the summer break, Verstappen feels optimistic about their competitive prospects. "I’m looking forward to seeing how we stack up here," said the four-time World Champion at the Hungaroring. "Our weekend in Spa was solid, and being on the podium was a highlight. It's been an upward trend, which is encouraging."

When asked about the performance balance between Red Bull's new power unit and their chassis, Verstappen noted, "The engine team's transparency has been reassuring. Everything they predicted has come to fruition, which is a testament to their work."

Reflecting on the season's start, Verstappen acknowledged, "We didn't kick off as we would have liked, but we're seeing progress now. The momentum is building, and that's promising."

On the possibility of Red Bull returning to the top of the podium this year, Verstappen remained hopeful. "I hope so. I can't predict when, but our goal is always to win."

Currently, Verstappen stands seventh in the Drivers’ Championship with 91 points, trailing leader Kimi Antonelli by 113 points. Meanwhile, Red Bull is fourth in the Constructors' standings, behind McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes.