We’re getting there, we’re not the same yet” – Red Bull still playing catch-up with F1 rivals

Max Verstappen has acknowledged that Red Bull Racing is still working to recover its dominant form following the Miami Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver indicated that while the team is making progress, it has not yet returned to the level of performance required to maintain a clear advantage over its rivals.

Verstappen’s remarks were a reaction to comments made by McLaren team boss Andrea Stella. Stella observed that the current state of competition in Formula 1 has evolved, noting that there are four teams in such a tight competition at the front of the field.

Addressing the gap between Red Bull and its competitors, Verstappen stated, We’re getting there, we’re not the same yet.

The Miami Grand Prix highlighted this shift in momentum, as Mercedes emerged as the prevailing team during the event. Ferrari also remained heavily involved in the competitive mix, further validating Stella’s assessment of a narrowed performance gap among the top four teams.

While the team focuses on closing the gap to Mercedes and other rivals, other components of the Red Bull operation faced significant setbacks during the weekend. Isack Hadjar struggled throughout the event, recording a pace that was well off that of Verstappen.

Hadjar’s difficult weekend concluded with his exclusion from the event, capping off a performance described as a nightmare weekend for the driver.