Max Verstappen: “No compromise” Red Bull improving car “almost every race”

Max Verstappen in actie op de Red Bull Ring. — Photo: © LAT Images

Styrian Grand Prix

Verstappen: “No compromise” Red Bull improving car “almost every race”

Red Bull has defeated Mercedes in all of the last four F1 races

Ian Parkes & Will Gray

Tuesday 29 June 2021 08:45

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Max Verstappen has seen no evidence of a compromise in the development of his Red Bull after revealing his team has brought new parts to “almost every race” so far this season.

Lewis Hamilton has fallen 18 points adrift in the title race as Mercedes has put all its focus on developing its new car for the new 2022 regulations.

Verstappen, though, claims that while Red Bull is also doing the same, it is also pushing ahead on the 2021 machine in its bid to end Mercedes' dominance.

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“I don't know what’s going on with other teams but I know that from our side, we do improve our car almost every race, which I think is very important,” said Verstappen.

“We have a good opportunity to have a good season and I’m confident with the people we have in the team that also the focus for next year is 100%. So far I don’t see that compromise.

“Of course, time will tell next year if it’s like that [but] I fully agree with the approach we have for this season.”

Red Bull finally making good on favourite's tag

Red Bull has now started to make good on its pre-season favourite's tag, which was handed out in testing when it became apparent Mercedes had lost performance through a change in the regulations.

Despite the reigning champion's initial lack of pace, Hamilton made the most of some Red Bull mistakes to take three wins in the first four races, but that has since turned around as Mercedes has taken its foot off the development gas.

Asked what improvement has made the difference, Verstappen said: “It’s about making sure that you have the tyres to the end. They couldn’t keep up with me and if you have that little bit extra pace you can manage your lap times a bit more.

“That just helps these tyres a lot to the end, because they’re super-sensitive in terms of sliding, locking, whatever. They overheat super-quick, so it’s all about management at the end."