Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula One champion, acknowledged that Red Bull needs to work harder on its car after McLaren dominated qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Verstappen, winner of seven races this season, will start Sunday’s race in third place, behind the two McLarens who locked out the front row. Despite the recent upgrades introduced by Red Bull, Verstappen admitted that they were not enough to overcome the pace of the McLaren cars.
“For sure, they (the upgrades) work, but we’re still not first, right? So we need more. It’s as simple as that,” he told reporters.
Verstappen’s frustration was evident during his final qualifying lap, where he banged the steering wheel after crossing the finish line. He explained that while he was happy with his laps overall, the car’s balance was precarious and he was pushing to the limit.
“I think looking back at my qualifying, I was very happy with the laps, but balance-wise, everything is really on the edge. I’m pushing as hard as I can,” he said. “I feel like I probably push harder than I did last year, but it’s just not coming any more to have these great lap times. So I guess it just means that we are a bit slower. So we have work to do. Simple as that.”
Verstappen’s comments highlight the shift in the Formula One landscape this season. While Red Bull dominated in 2022, this year has seen a resurgence from Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren. McLaren’s strong performance in qualifying suggests they have the fastest car, with Lando Norris securing pole position and Oscar Piastri starting second.
Verstappen remained pragmatic about his chances in the race, acknowledging the challenge of overtaking on the Hungaroring circuit. “We’ll try our very best. Try to have a good, stable balance with the car. And I hope if I find that, that I can follow them,” Verstappen said. “But I don’t know. I mean, honestly, my long runs have been OK, but nothing fantastic or special. I think it’s better to be realistic than sitting here and spreading false hope.”
Verstappen’s decision not to take part in the final minutes of qualifying, after the pit lane reopened following Yuki Tsunoda’s crash, was another indication of Red Bull’s current situation. He explained that with worn tires, there was no chance for improvement and it was pointless to risk further damage.
“I didn’t want to drive anymore. I had no tyres, so they were used, so I was never going to improve. So there was no point for me to be in the pit lane waiting.”
