Former F1 driver David Coulthard said it was too simple to conclude that Red Bull Racing was the faster car at the F1 Miami GP, and Max Verstappen’s “F1 champion’s run” is commendable.
Max Verstappen won his first Grand Prix of Miami and continued to record retirement or victory at all Grand Prix of the season. Verstappen then overtook both Ferraris on the track.
On the opening lap, Max Verstappen took the lead by overtaking Carlos Sainz on turn 2 and overtaking Charles Leclerc on turn 1.
Max Verstappen’s run was impressive, but experts said it was almost inevitable given that the upgraded Red Bull Racing is now a faster car. Not only did the Red Bull RB18 have a straight speed advantage over the Ferrari F1-75, but it was also able to rival Ferrari in low speed corners in Miami.
But David Coulthard said there was more to the story, citing Max Verstappen’s maturity.
“I don’t think there’s a big difference in a real car,” David Coulthard told Channel 4.
“I think it’s great given that cars are designed and manufactured in different locations.”
“I think the decisive factor was weekend tire management.”
“Czech Republic (Perez) wasn’t too far behind Max on the track. He hasn’t been able to achieve Max’s last little pace. Yes, there’s Max Factor.”
“But I don’t think it’s as simple as saying,’Red Bull is a faster car.'”
David Coulthard, the 13th Grand Prix winner, believes the Verstappen factor appeared in the restart after the safety car.
The lead Max Verstappen had built against Charles Leclerc was eradicated when Lando Norris and Pierre Guthrie collided to bring a safety car.
Max Verstappen quickly pulled away on a restart, but Charles Leclerc remained in the DRS. This season DRS has proven to be quite powerful. However, despite the pressure, Verstappen won his third win of the season.
“The pressure on Max in that situation was off-scale,” said David Coulthard.
“And after the race they both saw it sweating in the heat. It was an ard race and I love to see it.”
“And I think Max really was a world champion. If it was a young Max or younger, Charles would probably have been able to overtake.”
Charles Leclerc leads Max Verstappen by 19 points in five races this season, while Ferrari is six points ahead of Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship.
Category: Category: F1 / Max Verstappen / Red bull / F1 Miami GP