Max Verstappen identifies the key factor for Red Bull to compete again for the constructors’ title. In 2024, the team lost the title to McLaren due to balance issues with the RB20. According to Verstappen, resolving these issues is more crucial for Red Bull’s title chances than the performance of new teammate Liam Lawson.
Red Bull is facing an exciting time. Not only is new driver Liam Lawson stepping into the cockpit as Max Verstappen’s teammate, but the team also hopes to resolve the issues with the RB20 for their next car. According to the world champion himself, the latter is more important for Red Bull to compete again for the constructors’ title than how quickly Lawson adapts to the car.
“If we can get the car back to the front, the name in the other cockpit doesn’t matter,” Verstappen tells Blick. “I don’t have a crystal ball, but if we can correct certain weaknesses in the winter, then we’ll be back at the front. But I’m certainly not making any predictions.” Verstappen does emphasize what the biggest problem with the RB20 was. “We often lacked the necessary balance because we simply couldn’t get into the low-temperature window.”
Strongest Teammate
With his debut as a Red Bull driver, Lawson becomes Max Verstappen’s latest teammate. Sergio Pérez, Alexander Albon, and Pierre Gasly have previously competed against the world champion, albeit without much success. However, according to Verstappen himself, he learned the most from a completely different teammate.
“Indeed, Daniel Ricciardo, I learned the most from him,” says Verstappen, when asked who his strongest teammate was. “I learned a lot from him and incorporated it into my experiences.” Verstappen also has kind words for the recently departed Pérez. The Dutchman praises the Mexican for his ‘loyalty’.
