Max Verstappen admits Red Bull is still trailing its F1 rivals despite progress after a competitive Miami Grand Prix where Mercedes took victory and Ferrari remained a strong contender. The reigning world champion responded to McLaren’s Andrea Stella, who highlighted a fierce four-way battle at the front, saying, “We're getting there, we're not the same yet.”
Red Bull showed encouraging pace but couldn’t match the outright speed of Mercedes or the consistent threat from Ferrari. Verstappen’s comments underline that while the team is closing the gap, they are not yet at the level required to dominate as they did in previous seasons.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s young prospect Isack Hadjar endured a difficult weekend, falling significantly behind Verstappen’s pace before ultimately being excluded from the event. The setback for Hadjar highlights the challenges Red Bull faces in bridging the gap not only at the front but also in developing talent capable of matching their lead driver’s standards.
As the championship battle intensifies, Red Bull must find more pace and consistency to reclaim their dominance. Mercedes’ win in Miami reinforced their resurgence, while Ferrari remains a formidable challenger. Red Bull’s struggle to keep up underscores the evolving landscape at the top of the F1 grid in 2024.
