MIAMI – Four-time Formula One champion Max Verstappen expressed renewed optimism about his Red Bull team’s performance following Friday’s qualifying session at the Miami Grand Prix, where he secured fifth position for Saturday’s sprint race.
The Dutch racing star, who has claimed victory twice at the Miami circuit, indicated his team has made substantial progress in narrowing the performance deficit to their competitors this season.
Verstappen has struggled with Formula One’s current regulatory framework and has even questioned his long-term commitment to the sport. Through three races and one sprint event this season, his highest finish has been sixth place.
“It feels a bit more normal, a bit more together,” Verstappen commented about his team’s upgraded vehicle before the first race weekend in over a month.
“There are still, of course, things we are working on, but it’s been a really positive step for us. The last few races, we were like over a second behind. I would say we have almost halved that gap now, so that’s very positive.”
During Friday’s qualifying session, Verstappen’s fastest lap was 0.592 seconds behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, who secured pole position. Norris captured the championship title from Verstappen last season.
Verstappen’s French teammate Isack Hadjar will start ninth, finishing 1.553 seconds off the pole time.
