Verstappen Urges Red Bull to Step Up After McLaren’s Surprising Win

Max Verstappen is calling on Red Bull to step up their game with the RB21 after McLaren’s strong performance in the first qualifying session of the new F1 season. Verstappen managed to secure a respectable third place at Albert Park, but he lagged behind pole-sitter Lando Norris by nearly four-tenths of a second.

The team had a tough time during pre-season testing in Bahrain, so his relatively strong qualifying result brings some relief. However, Liam Lawson faced significant challenges at his first race in Melbourne. Power unit issues hampered his performance in practice, and mistakes during qualifying meant he ended up in P18.

Verstappen noted some improvements in the car’s balance, but he emphasized that they still have a long way to go. "The car did improve slightly," he told Viaplay. "But the gap in Q3 shows we are not where we need to be yet." While he expressed contentment with his qualifying performance, he acknowledged the large gap to McLaren.

When discussing his strategy, Verstappen mentioned the importance of consistency: "Just driving laps constantly and not making mistakes."

Despite this, Verstappen remains cautious about the race ahead. He admitted that he is unsure if Red Bull has the pace to compete with McLaren, Ferrari, or Mercedes. "I didn’t do many laps in the second free practice," he said. "I also don’t know how long my tires will last."

Interestingly, rain is forecasted for the race, which could create an opportunity for Verstappen to showcase his proven skill in wet conditions. "If it rains, it’s a whole different game," he noted, adding with a laugh, "I don’t really care if it’s 40 degrees or 20 degrees. Ice is fine too, just like gravel."

Looking at past seasons, it’s clear that the start of a new racing year often brings surprises. For instance, in 2022, Verstappen began with a rocky start too, but quickly found his rhythm and went on to dominate the championship. This season, as teams adapt to changes, unpredictability is the norm, making every race an opportunity for something unexpected.

As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see how Red Bull addresses their performance issues and how other teams, especially McLaren, build on their momentum. With the continued evolution of Formula 1 regulations and technology, each race can seem like a new chapter in the unfolding drama of motorsport.

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