P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull boss Christian Horner has denied Max Verstappen gained a “significant advantage” from a fresh engine during his win at the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s recurring power unit issues in Mexico led to the need for new parts beyond his seasonal allocation, resulting in a grid drop to 17th place in Brazil after a qualifying mishap. Despite this setback, he showcased exceptional prowess, moving up six positions quickly and running as high as sixth within 10 laps. Red Bull’s team principal, Horner, downplayed the impact of the new powertrain on Verstappen’s overtaking abilities, attributing the success to his skills on the brakes rather than horsepower advantage. The decision to bring the new engine to Brazil was justified by the team, as the track proved conducive to overtaking. Red Bull’s recent upgrades have addressed past balance issues, with the team showing promising competitiveness in wet conditions at Interlagos. Horner expressed confidence in the team’s performance improvements, indicating that they are back on track following a period of mixed success with the new upgrades.
