Verstappen finally has that winning feeling again
Max Verstappen says that remaining calm through a difficult spell with the RB20 was the key to the Red Bull Formula 1 team finding its winning form again in Austin.
The Milton Keynes team came to COTA with an update package that helped Verstappen to secure pole for the sprint and then win it with ease.
It was his first victory since the Spanish GP in June, and came after a run of eight race weekends with a victory.
“I think what has been very important for us in the last few races is to remain calm and just work on the problems,” he said.
“And that’s what we have done as a team. Just focus on ourselves. That’s the only thing that you can influence and control.”
Verstappen made it clear what it mean to return to the front of the field.
“I’m happy,” he said. “It’s been of course quite a few races where it was more like just looking behind, never really being able to attack, and now find the car had definitely had just more performance. I could push a bit harder.
“So very, very happy with today. I mean, looking at the whole race, I think Ferrari was also very quick. But for us, this was already much, much better.
“Of course, always a very hectic weekend like this, to get the car in the right window. But luckily, the last few times that we had a sprint, I think the car was in a good window. So, yeah, there’s a bit more pressure on delivering, but luckily, it’s working out for us.”
Asked if the RB20 was now back where it was earlier in the year he said: “Back where it was at the beginning of the season is difficult to say, because everyone is improving as well. It just feels a bit more together.
“And I think that is what we have been lacking. I mean, over one lap you can mask a lot of issues, but in of course, in the race, you need a balanced car, which was a bit of a struggle for us last year races. And now today, it was definitely a lot better.”
Regarding the rest of the weekend he added: I think over the whole race distance today, I think Ferrari was, was very fast. We’ll look into things to improve going into qualifying. But it’s a bit difficult to tell at the moment how we would be on full fuel.”
Adam Cooper F1 