Max Verstappen has been noticing McLaren edging closer and closer recently. This has been good for the thrill of the race, according to both friends and foes. However, Verstappen now believes that his rival has surpassed Red Bull. He raises the alarm, stating, “They are better, yes. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be ahead of us.”
It seems like a state of emergency in Milton Keynes, one might say. Verstappen sounding worried is not news, according to him. He has been noticing for a while that something needs to change. “McLaren has been very strong recently, it’s not like I’m suddenly worried,” he says. Internally, he has been sounding the alarm: “I’m obviously pushing for us to bring more performance to the car.”
Updates are needed. And they are coming. But the competition is not standing still. On the contrary, Verstappen notes: “It seems like there are more updates coming around us than from us.” And this is causing problems on various fronts. A rival like McLaren, especially in the form of Lando Norris, is now much more than just getting closer. Verstappen, firmly: “They are better than us now.”
That last sentence speaks volumes. Verstappen is raising the alarm, one could say. It is, due to the dominance of Red Bull in recent years, certainly not a statement you are used to hearing from the Dutchman. Or from others within the team. But Verstappen is a realist, he sticks to the facts. And he repeats it again. “Better. Yes. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be ahead of us.”
So, it’s time for those updates, for those improvements he’s been pushing for and that are needed to remain successful. The Dutchman is aware of what’s in store at Red Bull, he says. “I know what’s coming.” But does that give him confidence? “You know, sometimes updates work out better than other times. So, I’ll leave that up in the air.”
