(Motorsport-Total.com) – Max Verstappen caused a surprise at the Austrian Grand Prix: Because the new update package from Red Bull Racing apparently hit the mark, the four-time world champion was suddenly even able to compete for the win. Could he now perhaps also be hoping for the world championship title again?
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“I think there are still more races left than last year, but the deficit is very large,” Verstappen recalls last year, when after a weak start to the season he was suddenly able to get back into the title fight and ultimately missed his fifth title by only two points.
“We had very good pace, but to fight for the title we still need to be more complete overall,” says the Red Bull driver after second place in Austria. “I think we still have too many problems – whether at the start or with some internal processes that you might not even know about, but I do.”
“We just need to get better in all areas,” the 28-year-old demands especially from his team. “This is not a big criticism or anything like that. I think everyone is aware of it, but we always want to improve; we strive to be the best.”
Verstappen warns: “Still a bit of work ahead of us”
“So we have to focus on all these things. If we are a bit, let’s say, rock solid – and we have shown that in the past – then of course it’s a different story. But hopefully it won’t take too long. We still have a bit of work ahead of us.”
The positive impression from Spielberg gives the Dutchman hope overall. “Well, I started from fifth place. In every stint I was able to continuously reduce the gap. I caught up to George, while Kimi in turn closed in on me,” Verstappen recalls.
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“For us, that was already a big step forward compared to the previous races. Just think of the last race: I was completely on my own and couldn’t attack anyone. So the fact that we performed like this on a track that heavily stresses the tires is a good sign.”
Mercedes: Verstappen “never to be overlooked”
A sign that has not gone unnoticed by the competition either. “The car worked well this weekend,” says Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. “But honestly, in my opinion, Max was the decisive factor this weekend.”
“He is able to get the maximum out of this car. You can also see that compared to his teammates,” adds the Austrian, especially with regard to Isack Hadjar, who could only achieve sixth place at the Red Bull Ring.
“That is why the ‘Verstappen factor’ must never be overlooked or underestimated in the fight for the championship,” warns Wolff, who will continue to keep Verstappen on his radar: “Max always plays an important role in the championship.”
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