Can Verstappen trust his upgraded Red Bull car more?

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Max Verstappen Believes Upgraded Red Bull Car Offers Increased Trust

Max Verstappen indicated that Red Bull has significantly narrowed the performance gap to its Formula One competitors, allowing him to place greater trust in his upgraded car. This sentiment comes after a period of dissatisfaction with the sport's current regulations, which had led him to question his future involvement. The Dutch driver described the enhancements as making the car feel "a bit more normal, a bit more together," suggesting a return to a more predictable and manageable performance characteristic.
Reduced Performance Deficit Observed

Verstappen stated that the substantial performance deficit, which previously exceeded one second compared to rival teams, has now been nearly halved. This closing of the gap is seen as a highly positive development for the team. Prior to this, Verstappen had struggled to achieve results higher than sixth place in the season's races and sprints, reflecting the challenges faced with the car's previous performance levels.
Enhanced Car Handling and Predictability

The driver elaborated on the upgraded car's feel, noting it is now more aligned with what he expects, describing it as "a bit more normal, a bit more together." While acknowledging that ongoing development is still required, he highlighted this upgrade as a genuinely positive step forward. This improved handling and predictability are crucial for a driver seeking to consistently challenge for top positions.
Comparison to Competitor Lando Norris

In qualifying for the sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix, Verstappen's best lap time was recorded at 0.592 seconds slower than that of Lando Norris, who secured pole position. This metric provides a concrete illustration of the performance gap that Verstappen believes has been significantly reduced, though not entirely eliminated, compared to previous race weekends.
Teammate's Performance Context

The performance context is further illustrated by Verstappen's teammate, Isack Hadjar, who qualified ninth. Hadjar's lap time was 1.553 seconds adrift of the pole-setting time. This provides a comparative benchmark within the Red Bull team, showing that while improvements have been made, the overall competitiveness relative to the frontrunners remains an area of focus.

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Can Verstappen trust his upgraded Red Bull car more?

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