Max Verstappen shared that Red Bull’s Formula 1 car handling issues contributed to his intense battle with Lando Norris during the recent United States Grand Prix. Despite updates introduced at Austin, Verstappen faced challenges in maintaining control, especially during the critical closing laps, which ultimately played a role in his on-track clash with Norris.
Red Bull had made adjustments to improve the RB20’s stability, which had been a concern in recent races. These upgrades allowed Verstappen to clinch victory in the Sprint race and secure a front-row start for the main event. However, during the initial stint, Verstappen struggled to match Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc’s pace, which diminished his chances of winning. A setback during pit stops dropped him to third, and an aggressive move by Norris, who then passed him outside track limits, led to a position swap following a penalty for Norris.
McLaren claimed that Verstappen’s braking forced Norris off track at Turn 12, while Norris suggested Verstappen’s move was intentional. Verstappen, however, explained that his car’s deteriorating grip on the front axle made it difficult to control his braking precisely. He acknowledged that any slight misstep would lead to a lock-up due to limited front-end grip, influencing his defensive moves and contributing to the contentious interaction with Norris.
Despite the struggles, Verstappen felt encouraged by the improvements Red Bull made in Austin, although he admitted he hadn’t expected some of the car’s handling issues during the race. Reflecting on the weekend, he noted that while it was a step forward, more refinements would be necessary to ensure they could consistently compete at the top. He expressed confidence that Red Bull is on the right path, even though he initially believed he’d be more competitive in the main race.
Verstappen praised the recent updates to the RB20, saying they helped tame the car’s challenging balance issues, transforming it from a “monster” into something more manageable. The reigning F1 champion, however, confirmed that Red Bull has no further upgrades planned for the upcoming Mexico race, focusing instead on maintaining cooling to optimize performance in Mexico’s high-altitude conditions.
In summary, while Verstappen acknowledged Red Bull’s progress, he remains cautious about fully overcoming the balance challenges that impacted his recent race experience. His clash with Norris highlighted the complexity of the RB20’s handling, underscoring the need for continuous adjustments to stay competitive.