The promising results of Max Verstappen on Saturday in Miami come at just the right time for the Red Bull team. The four-time world champion first finished fifth in the sprint race and then surprisingly qualified second for the Miami Grand Prix scheduled for today (at 19:00 Dutch time). “We really needed this,” admitted Verstappen.
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“After the disappointments of the first three races, this feels good for us,” Verstappen said about an hour after his strong qualifying performance during a chat with the Dutch press.
Also read: GP Miami moved forward to 19:00 Dutch time due to expected severe weather
The sporting revival immediately affects the atmosphere and dynamics within the team, the four-time world champion also observes. The smiling faces in the hospitality area speak volumes in that regard.
Read more Verstappen relives in Miami: ‘I can finally drive the way I want to drive again’
‘A lot of confidence’
One swallow does not make a summer, Verstappen knows, but this gives confidence. “It’s normal that this is good for the atmosphere. When you realize you haven’t got it right at the start of the season and after a month-long break a big update package arrives, everyone mainly hopes it works. And when it actually does work, that gives a lot of confidence,” said Verstappen, who then made a comparison with football. “You can show it in training, but it has to happen in the races and you want to score the winning goals.”
For Verstappen himself, his Saturday performances also mean a mental boost. “I had no doubts, but of course I was curious whether the updates would work. You know, we’re not there yet, but this is a good step. This is what I wanted to see looking ahead.”
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Read everything about the GP Miami here
