F1- Red Bull predicts another difficult weekend in Miami

Max Verstappen, struggling on circuits with high temperatures, suffered from the shortcomings of an RB21 that tended to overheat its tires. In Miami, the predicted conditions gave way to pessimism on the part of Red Bull.

Published 28/04/2025 à 14:49

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Red Bull predicts another tough weekend in Miami

Which version of Max Verstappen will we be able to observe in Miami? Will the Dutchman be able to repeat his brilliant performances, like his two surprise pole positions acquired at Suzuka and Jeddah? Or will he have to resign himself to optimizing the points, even meager ones, as was the case in Bahrain?

If his car is expected to be less lively than during the last Saudi weekend of Formula 1, the Dutchman seems to have a machine in progress. Despite everything, the domination of McLaren still wants to be important. Very fast when the fast turns follow one another, the MCL39 of Lando Norris et Oscar piastri However, it lacks top speed. A hindrance given the long straight of the third sector of the Miami International Autodrome? Not for Helmut Marko, head of the young drivers program of the program Red Bull.

High temperatures favorable to McLaren in Miami?

As the team with the most advanced tire performance, McLaren actually seems to be suffering much less than its rivals. In Bahrain, the pace of the papayas was barely touched, and it's unlikely to be any different this weekend.

"In Miami, we still expect conditions to be more in McLaren's favor, explained Helmut Marko in his latest column for Speedweek. Our current task is to develop a wider working window for our car, and also to reduce some weaknesses before the races in Europe and thus improve the base speed of the car."

In the image of Ferrari, also keen to upgrade its car before Europe returns to the calendar, Red Bull does not expect to be able to compete on equal terms with McLaren. In dry conditions at least, the debates would visibly be very similar to those seen in recent Grands Prix. Nevertheless, the Woking team seems to be struggling to achieve a series of one-two finishes despite a machine that is theoretically well above the others. If the gap were to be less abysmal than expected, part of the difference could be made again in qualifying.

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