Max Verstappen is in crisis with Red Bull. © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

World Champion Verstappen: The worst is behind us

After difficult months with many disappointments, Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen expects an improvement in the final stretch of the season.

06 October 2024

From: apa/sn

“Yes, to be honest, I think so,” the Dutchman replied in an interview with the specialist portal Motorsport when asked whether the worst was over for him and his struggling Red Bull team. "Hopefully we can continue to make good progress from here," said the 27-year-old ahead of the race in Austin in two weeks.

Although Verstappen continues to lead the overall standings on his way to his fourth consecutive world championship title, the pressure from his pursuer Lando Norris is enormous. The three-time champion is only 52 points ahead of the Brit in the McLaren, with six races left in the season. Verstappen has not won since June.

"At some point we turned in the wrong direction," said Verstappen about the problems with his car. "The other teams have either not yet reached this point or have developed the car slightly differently." That is difficult to assess.

Red Bull is working on the car. © ANSA / YURI KOCHETKOV

However, the dominator of recent years believes that a turning point has been reached. The technical improvements to the car at the penultimate Grand Prix in Baku were a good first step. "I am convinced that we are moving in the right direction. But that takes time. You can't turn something like that around in a week or two," he said. Red Bull is also expected to further improve the car with an update package at the upcoming World Championship round in the USA.