Max Verstappen is currently the best racer on the grid. The Dutchman has proven himself on almost every racing circuit around the globe. With seven wins in ten GPs, he has been the lone warrior for RBR. Moreover, his recent exhibition at Barcelona has further extended Red Bull’s lead despite Sergio Perez’s downhill battle.
While Verstappen is the top contender for the World Championship, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc have been improving. Although the distance between Verstappen and others is significant, the three-time world champion doesn’t want to risk it. Therefore, the champion driver wants to improve as the F1 paddock reaches Red Bull’s home circuit in Austria.
Verstappen Aims To Extend His ‘Austrian Record’
After a remarkable triumph in Canada and Barcelona, Max Verstappen is gearing up for the Austrian challenge. While the Austria GP provides unique challenges, Verstappen is habitual in crossing the finish line fastest on this track. His first Austrian GP victory came in 2018, followed by another in 2019. Later, in 2021, he won two races in Austria and finally won his fifth in 2023. Therefore, the Dutchman holds the record for most wins in Austria, dominating the circuit. Thus, the reigning world champion wants to extend his record, but it would require a strategic revamp. The reason for the uncertainty is Red Bull’s recent issues. The energy drink-based outfit has struggled to re-establish domination as McLaren and Ferrari have intensified the competition. Moreover, McLaren’s F1 car showed impressive speed in the Spanish GP, although Verstappen’s exceptional performance ultimately secured the victory.
Consequently, Verstappen thinks his past statistics in Austria are of no help. After the Spanish GP, the Dutchman said the past results were irrelevant on that circuit. Thus, you need a fast, strong car to keep the performance high. Moreover, he believes the team needs to find a ‘little bit extra’ to win comfortably. Subsequently, highlighting the past races, Verstappen said the team was at the right place at the right time. Further, the right decisions helped them to secure the win. However, despite being at the top, the Red Bull starlet has showcased some nervousness. This could be due to the team’s past domination, where they won comfortably. Thus, even modest competition can make the three-time world champion vulnerable. Nevertheless, he has emerged victorious on every occasion despite mounting pressure.
Christian Horner Wants His Team To ‘Ignore 2023’ To Defend Its World Title
On the other hand, Christian Horner has suggested that the team come out of the ‘2023 Unicron phase,’ during which the team won 21 of 22 races. He explained that the rival teams had improved significantly, leaving no room for a blunder.
Ultimately, Horner professed everything converges and the team will re-establish sheer domination in th 2026 season. But at the moment, the team has to fight really hard for wins, and it has to be on teh top of the game.