Max Verstappen expressed concerns about his performance at the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix, following a disappointing qualifying round. He secured a fifth-place grid position, marking his least favorable result since the Hungarian Grand Prix in August.
Recent Performance and Championship Standing
Despite recent successes, including three wins out of the last four races, Verstappen finds himself 40 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri. Piastri will start from seventh place during the race, while Lando Norris, his McLaren teammate, will take the pole position.
Struggles with Racing Pace
In his own words, Verstappen commented on his current performance: “I have no pace, so it doesn’t matter what I do in Turn 1.” He acknowledged that even if he managed to overtake a couple of cars early on, he would likely lose positions later in the race.
- Current Championship Position: 5th on the grid
- Points Behind Championship Leader: 40 points from Oscar Piastri
- Norris’s Position: Pole position
Verstappen noted that his primary focus would be to avoid any trouble and to run his own race, highlighting concerns about the competitive edge of his Red Bull car. He remarked that his long-run performance has been weaker compared to competitors ahead of him.
Challenges and Team Dynamics
Verstappen admitted that his team faced difficulties in adapting the car’s performance for the Mexican circuit. “It’s been very difficult. We tried a lot of stuff, not a lack of trying, but yeah it’s been not great, let’s say it like that,” he explained.
As the championship battle intensifies with only four races remaining, Verstappen needs a strong performance to stay competitive. If he and Norris maintain their starting positions, Verstappen will slip further behind in the championship race.
