Max Verstappen: There isn’t much more we can do
Only a few days before the Australian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen admits that there is still a lot of work to be done on the Red Bull Racing car. But the team still lacks data, which they will know more about after Sunday's race.
During a press conference held this Thursday, Max Verstappen shared his impressions for the start of the season.
« We’ll try to do our best. I mean, there isn’t much more we can do. »
Still a lot of work on the single-seater
« We have already identified some areas we can work on, and that’s what we will continue to do », assures the reigning world champion.
The goal is, of course, to make [the single-seater] as competitive as possible. But 2026 must also be taken into account: the new regulations mark a new start for Formula 1, and teams must ensure they start development early enough during the 2025 season. Of course, it’s the last year of these regulations, so I suppose at some point—and I don’t know exactly when—you focus on this season, then at some point, you switch to something completely different. So for Red Bull Racing, it remains to be defined when to focus on 2026. In any case, for now, Verstappen assumes we just have to be patient and see how much we can recover.
It’s still too early to tell if the RB21 is successful.
Despite the winter testing in Bahrain, data is still lacking to clearly identify the performance of the car and guide its development in the right direction. Testing doesn’t last very long, indeed, as Max Verstappen points out. Nevertheless, he thinks there is naturally an improvement compared to the RB20.
As for estimating whether the championship will be close this year, it’s impossible to know for the moment. I mean, I know we’re not the fastest right now, but again, the season is very long. If you had asked this question here last year, and then again at the end of the season, you know it would have seemed completely different. So, a lot of things can always change very quickly in Formula 1.
The Australian Grand Prix
If the winter tests haven’t been sufficient to pinpoint the car, it’s partly because the circuits are all different. The Australian Grand Prix will therefore be an opportunity for the team to learn more, thanks to this race on a circuit different from Bahrain, which will already offer a slightly different feeling at the wheel. As for the ideal weather conditions for the RB21, Verstappen doesn’t know them yet, although he would prefer it to be dry because it’s simply more pleasant. Also for the fans. But if it’s wet, it’s wet. That’s not a problem either. Afterward, I still don’t know how we will perform in dry or wet conditions, so it’s a bit difficult to say.
Focus on your steering
In conclusion, for Max Verstappen, it’s much more relaxing to just go, trust the people around you, and move forward from there. Indeed, that’s the whole point of being part of a team: being able to rely on others and fully focus on your own tasks. Working hard on and off the track, trying to fix what you don’t like about the car or anything else, and always giving your best on the track. Trying to minimize mistakes and keep scoring points, he explains.
