Max Verstappen backs F1 rule set to hurt Red Bull but help Lewis Hamilton and rivals
Max Verstappen and Red Bull are facing an intense threat from rivals Mercedes and McLaren during the closing stages of the season.
Max Verstappen has no issues with the FIA’s regulations which means Red Bull will once again have a lesser wind tunnel allocation than their rivals in 2024. The reigning constructor champions are being caught steadily by rivals Mercedes and McLaren.
The three-time world champion finished the United States GP just two seconds clear of second-placed Lewis Hamilton, while Lando Norris has also shown race-winning pace at times since the summer break.
Red Bull head into the final four rounds of the season with a 362-point advantage over nearest challengers Mercedes in the standings, but with several teams closing the gap in the development race, Verstappen could be looking over his shoulders heading into the 2024 campaign.
“I mean, our latest update has already been a while [ago],” Verstappen explained ahead of the Mexican GP. “But yeah, clearly of course at the moment, they’re catching and it’s going to be interesting to see where everyone is going to be next year, the first race.
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“But I mean, those are the rules, right? I mean, when you’re the leading team, you have less wind tunnel time and honestly, I think it’s correct, it’s fine. Good for the sport. And time will tell of course how competitive we’re all going to be next year.”
Verstappen was also in agreement with the way Mercedes are focusing their development efforts heading into next season. The Silver Arrows have struggled to fully understand the behaviour of both the W13 and W14, but a move away from the ‘Zeropod’ design concept in Monaco earlier this year has given the team some increased understanding.
This has led to a more competitive Mercedes team with Hamilton finishing second on the road in Austin prior to his disqualification and George Russell demonstrating immense pace in his recovery drive at the Lusail International Circuit two weeks prior.
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“I think the good thing is, of course, that the rules are not really changing,” he continued. “So whatever you do now still learn, I think you’re learning a lot for next year anyway. So it’s not like you’re focusing fully on this year and then suddenly you need to rebuild for next year.
“So I think it’s absolutely correct what Mercedes is doing as well, to try and understand more of their car. For sure we are working on next year, but at the same time, of course, we’re also trying to continue to improve our package that we’ve got at the moment.”