Max Verstappen acknowledged that McLaren has been consistently fast at all circuits in recent races. The performance of the McLaren car, which is currently one of the fastest on the grid, has posed a challenge for Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship. Verstappen praised McLaren for their continuous improvements and strong recent performance. He noted that McLaren has been competitive on all types of tracks, surpassing Red Bull’s RB20 in certain aspects. This impressive display on various circuits demonstrates how McLaren has narrowed the performance gap between the two teams.
Verstappen specifically mentioned McLaren’s impressive tire management in Barcelona. The Woking team was able to push their tires more than other teams without encountering significant issues at the end of the race. This ability to maintain good tire performance has made McLaren more competitive throughout the race and showcased their substantial improvement. This highlights how they have reduced the gap to the top teams, including Red Bull.
In terms of the race weekend, Verstappen discussed the importance of a good start and anticipating the race pace during the Saturday sprint session. He expressed satisfaction with the performance of the RB20 throughout the day, despite a minor sensor issue that was quickly resolved by the team. Verstappen felt confident in pushing the limits of the car during qualifying.
Although the day started well for them, Verstappen acknowledged areas that need improvement, which they intend to address tonight. He emphasized the importance of the sprint race in providing an early indication of each car’s speed for the main race. Verstappen eagerly awaits the sprint race as it will help them identify their weaknesses.
Looking at Sunday’s race, Verstappen hopes for a favorable outcome for Red Bull, especially after his good performance in the sprint qualifying. The car performed well and Verstappen didn’t encounter any difficulties during the race. Fans are excited to see the main race unfold in Verstappen’s favor, especially because it is Red Bull’s home race, which could result in a stadium full of Red Bull supporters.