JUST IN :Max Verstappen issues Chinese Grand Prix ‘retirement’ plea…Read more
Max Verstappen Acknowledges Challenges at the Chinese Grand Prix
Max Verstappen has cast doubt on his chances of winning the Chinese Grand Prix, implying that he would need his main rivals to retire in order to secure victory. The Dutch driver has openly expressed his frustration with the pace of his RB21, even though his performances in the early stages of the season have kept him in contention for the championship.
Despite his concerns, Verstappen still managed a podium finish in the sprint race and secured a solid fourth place on the grid for the main event. This comes after a near-victory in Australia, where he finished less than a second behind McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Although the season is still in its early stages, Verstappen is only two points behind Norris in the drivers’ standings. However, there is a growing belief that the four-time world champion is pushing his Red Bull car beyond its limits just to stay competitive with the likes of Norris, Oscar Piastri, and George Russell.
A key indicator of Red Bull’s struggles is the performance of Verstappen’s new teammate, Liam Lawson. The young New Zealander has found it difficult to adapt to the RB21, qualifying last in both sessions in China. His underwhelming performances mirror the difficulties he faced in Melbourne, highlighting the challenges Red Bull is facing this season.
Despite the team’s apparent lack of pace, Verstappen remains confident in his driving ability. Speaking in Shanghai, he stated:
“I probably feel in the best shape I’ve ever been, even compared to previous years. When I go into qualifying, I’m hitting my marks and delivering strong laps. In the races, we are executing everything we can, but when you lack race pace, there’s only so much you can do.”
Verstappen’s comments suggest that while he is performing at his peak, the limitations of the RB21 are preventing him from maintaining his dominance. His ability to extract strong results from a struggling car is evident, but with McLaren and Mercedes appearing to have made significant strides forward, he faces a tough battle to retain his title.
For now, Verstappen remains in the fight at the top of the standings, but unless Red Bull can find a way to improve their race pace, the Dutchman may have to rely on misfortunes for his rivals if he wants to stay ahead in the championship race.
