Max Verstappen has pushed back against the idea that Red Bull’s recent pace on low-downforce circuits automatically makes them favourites for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. He insisted that past form on similar layouts doesn’t translate directly to success in Nevada.
The Dutch driver argued that Las Vegas has its own unique characteristics that separate it from other tracks, making comparisons unreliable. Factors such as temperature swings, surface grip, and the street-circuit layout bring different challenges that Red Bull cannot assume will suit them.
In the opening practice session, Verstappen placed fourth, trailing behind Yuki Tsunoda after struggling with a dusty and unrepresentative track surface. He noted that the conditions made it difficult to draw any meaningful conclusions from FP1.
During the second practice, Verstappen dropped to ninth on the timesheets as the session evolved. Despite that dip, he still ran noticeably quicker than his Red Bull teammate, which he suggested was expected given the circumstances.
Overall, Verstappen maintained that the team must stay cautious and avoid overconfidence. He stressed that Las Vegas requires a fresh approach each year and that Red Bull cannot rely solely on performances from other low-downforce venues.
About the Author
