Max Verstappen acknowledged that Red Bull’s performance was lacking in both single-lap speed and long-run pace compared to McLaren at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. During the final race weekend at Yas Marina, Verstappen, a four-time world champion, was consistently slower than Lando Norris, McLaren’s lead driver and current F1 title favorite, in the two hour-long practice sessions.
In the first practice session, the time gap between Verstappen and Norris was a mere 0.008 seconds, but by the second practice, Norris had extended his lead to 0.363 seconds, raising concerns for Verstappen about Red Bull’s competitiveness. Verstappen described the car’s performance as “pretty okay” but admitted it was not yet fast enough. He mentioned that driving the RB21 was a “constant battle,” although this struggle was not a new experience for him.
Verstappen highlighted the significant gap they need to close and emphasized the importance of improving both single-lap and race pace. Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle expressed confidence that Red Bull would make necessary adjustments before qualifying, though he acknowledged that McLaren appeared faster in raw pace during the practice sessions.
Heading into the title-deciding race, Norris holds a 12-point lead over Verstappen, with Oscar Piastri trailing in third place. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies praised Verstappen’s performance this season, calling it the best version of the driver yet. He noted Verstappen’s relaxed and determined approach to the challenge and his impressive comeback, which could be considered historic regardless of the championship outcome.
Mekies also mentioned Verstappen’s off-track racing endeavors and new fatherhood as factors illustrating his well-rounded character. Mekies suggested that the scale of Verstappen’s comeback would be remembered in F1 history, no matter the final result.
Fan Take: This update highlights the thrilling intensity of the F1 title fight and the narrow margins that define it, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Verstappen’s determination to close the gap despite challenges adds a dramatic layer to the sport, promising an electrifying climax to the season that could reshape F1’s competitive landscape.
