Verstappen gives positive feedback about Red Bull's latest upgrade package
Following his second win of the season, Verstappen insisted that Red Bull's upgrades introduced for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix worked look to have improved the RB21's competitiveness.
Reigning champion Max Verstappen looked to struggle for pace on Friday, complaining about the race pace of his RB21. However, he displayed a stellar performance in qualifying to secure second spot on the grid.
The Dutchman then endured a slow getaway at the start, but made an eye-catching move into Turn 1, braking late and braving it around the outside of Oscar Piastri to take the lead on the first lap.
McLaren had been expected to have dominant race pace and tyre management on the hot surface of the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari. However, Verstappen managed his medium tyres during his opening stint, and he received some good fortunes with VSC which enabled him to bank a cheap pit stop.
When the Safety Car came out, he lost his enormous advantage, but he did not lose his focus and drove into the distance for his second Grand Prix win of the year.
Following his second win of the season, Verstappen insisted that Red Bull's upgrades introduced for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix worked look to have improved the RB21's competitiveness.
"I think it's very track specific. I mean, every time that we have been really competitive, it’s been high-speed tracks, high-speed corners. We still have work to do, but I do think it’s been a very positive weekend for us.
"Of course, we brought upgrades. I think they worked. Friday was very difficult still, but then I think we found a better set-up for Saturday. And I just hope that we can use that a bit more often because it definitely brought the car in a better window. Now, that was here."
As for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, Verstappen stated that although Red Bull has not been strong around the narrow streets of Monte Carlo, he still hopes that the RB21 will be competitive.
"Monaco again — like I said, at the moment, I’m not really... I mean, I love driving in Monaco, but it’s not been our strongest track with the car that we have. But we’ll see what we can do. And then we go to Barcelona — normally, a lot of high-speed corners, which is great.
"A lot of tyre deg as well, which again will be crucial to master. And I don’t know, of course, how that is going to work for us at the moment. But, for now, just very happy with this weekend, and we just go from there.
