P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen claims he does not know if the United States Grand Prix will be “make or break” for his and Red Bull’s title fights with Lando Norris and McLaren, respectively.
Max Verstappen expressed uncertainty about whether the United States Grand Prix will be a decisive moment for his championship hopes and Red Bull’s bid to defend the constructors’ title. Despite leading Lando Norris by 52 points, the Milton Keynes team faces a tough challenge against McLaren, who have emerged as a strong contender in the 2024 F1 season. The battle for the constructors’ championship looks challenging for Red Bull as they trail McLaren by 41 points and face issues with the balance of the car, particularly with Sergio Perez’s inconsistent form. The upcoming race in Austin marks the beginning of a crucial period with six rounds in eight weeks, providing Red Bull with a last opportunity to make significant improvements for the final stretch of the season. Verstappen emphasized the importance of finding the right balance and making progress in performance to stay competitive in the championship fight.
“I don’t know if it’s make or break,” Verstappen commented to media outlets. Red Bull has been addressing the issues with their RB20 car since the Italian Grand Prix, taking steps to rectify failed upgrades and understand the root cause of the problems. Despite setbacks, such as in Azerbaijan, the team made progress in Singapore, giving hope for the upcoming races. Verstappen highlighted the need to continue the positive trajectory and avoid any regression with future updates, focusing on improvements that could also benefit the team in 2025. With opportunities to enhance the car during the Autumn break, Red Bull aims to capitalize on the remaining rounds to enhance performance both this season and in the future.
