Following the race in Monza, he was on the brink of despair. In early September, Max Verstappen labeled Red Bull’s RB20 as an ‘uncontrollable beast’. However, the ordeal seems to be over, as evidenced by the resurgence in Austin. The beast has become a friend again. “A race car can never be perfect.”
With a bit of luck, Max Verstappen had to abort his final qualifying round, in which he was faster than Lando Norris, due to a late crash by George Russell. His great British title rival and friend rushed to pole position. A pity, judges the world champion. “I missed the turn in turn 19 in the first lap. Usually, you get a second chance. Not this time,” he says. “It’s a shame, but it can happen.”
It’s a blemish on an otherwise pleasant Saturday for him in every respect at the Grand Prix, which he has won for the past three years. With a sovereign sprint victory in the morning and the knowledge that the RB20 is competitive again in qualifying, the American trip has already provided a sigh of relief. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had such a good Friday and Saturday. Honestly, I don’t even remember when the last time was.”
Revitalizing the RB20: Verstappen’s Optimism
With a few modifications, including changes to the floor, the RB20 appears to have been revived. Particularly in fast corners, of which the Circuit of the Americas has plenty, the car performs ‘very well’, according to Max Verstappen. “The balance issues that prevented us from attacking the corners are now much better. However, there are still a few things I want to improve. In any case, everything is much more positive.”
Post-Monza Adjustments and the Road to Improvement
After Monza, where Verstappen finished sixth, the team understood the cause of the setback and how to direct their efforts towards finding solutions. “A race car can never be perfect, and neither can a driver, but we are now heading in the right direction.” The four-week break after Singapore was therefore not unwelcome, admits Verstappen, for a reset. That, he says, has been the approach. “It gives you a bit more time to develop. Because everything that was planned could be thrown in the bin.”
Anticipation for the ‘Improved Version’ of the RB20 in Austin
Verstappen was, he said on Thursday, particularly curious about the introduction of the ‘improved version’ of the RB20 in Austin. He had ‘no emotion’ about it, he revealed, and had not really interfered with it. “In recent weeks and months, I have indicated what my feeling with the car was.” Now that the problem seems to have been fixed just in time, Verstappen is starting the final sprint with more confidence, which should end with a fourth world title. He still rates his chances as fifty-fifty, and does not underestimate the threat of Lando Norris. “I believe in myself, we as a team need to focus on ourselves. This has been a very good step, it gives you more chance to fight. We are on the front row, the potential is there. We will see in the race.”
