Max Verstappen is urging Red Bull to keep improving their car as Formula 1’s new aerodynamic testing rules come into play. Red Bull, based in Milton Keynes, has been dominant in F1 since 2022, especially with Verstappen winning both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. His numerous victories have highlighted his dominance, setting records for most wins in a season.
However, this season presents a different challenge despite Verstappen leading the standings. Other teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren have also been successful, with Sergio Perez’s struggles allowing a closer battle in the constructors’ championship.
F1’s new rules include sliding scale aerodynamic regulations and a budget cap to level competition. The team at the bottom of the standings gets 45% more testing time than the champion team, with incremental adjustments for the other teams.
Verstappen acknowledged the impact of these rules on Red Bull’s performance: “Naturally, having more time for testing would help, but that’s how the rules are designed. When you’re leading, seeing others catch up isn’t ideal, but everyone agrees to these rules.”
Despite winning races early in the season, Verstappen faces tougher competition from Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari. He called for continuous updates to their car, emphasizing the importance of recent upgrades despite setbacks during qualifying at the British Grand Prix.
Regarding the team’s latest upgrades, Verstappen noted, “We’ve seen improvements. The weekend had its challenges with testing new parts and unpredictable weather. If not for floor damage, we could have fought for pole position, which is positive.”
Looking ahead, Verstappen stressed the need for Red Bull to stay aggressive with upgrades, confident that their efforts will outpace those of rival teams. Team principal Christian Horner has warned about diminishing returns under current regulations, but Verstappen remains optimistic about ongoing improvements.
“I don’t believe in complacency,” Verstappen said, dismissing concerns about Red Bull’s performance plateauing. “Our team is constantly pushing for more performance. Other teams are doing the same, so we can’t afford to let up.”
Verstappen’s call for continuous improvement reflects Red Bull’s determination to maintain their competitive edge in Formula 1 amidst evolving regulations and stiff competition from other top teams.
