Why Red Bull's upgrades are crucial for Max Verstappen at Belgian Grand Prix
Max Verstappen is currently standing on the boundary line of the Formula 1 Championship with only two wins in 12 races this season. He is currently in the number 3 spot in the Formula 1 Driver Standings, but if he slips out of the top three, he could activate the release clause in his contract with Red Bull.
Now, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has said the updates that will be introduced at Red Bull at the Belgian Grand Prix have little ground to fall into place, and if they don't work out as expected, Verstappen could lose all his chances of claiming the championship.
Helmut Marko on
Red Bull upgrades
at Belgian Grand Prix
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko looks hopeful about the Red Bull updates to be introduced at the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix and the following Hungarian Grand Prix.
Marko told OE24, 'There are still 332 points up for grabs, which is a decent package. We hope the updates we're bringing to Spa and Budapest will have an impact.'
The Belgian Grand Prix is scheduled from July 25–26. But since there is a Sprint race as well, only one practice session has been included in the schedule. The other two free practice sessions have been omitted to make space for the Sprint qualifying and then the Sprint.
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When asked if having an additional Sprint could be beneficial for the team to grab points, Marko said, 'Yes and no. On the one hand, there are more points up for grabs. But on the other hand, two practice sessions are cancelled. We can't afford a disastrous Friday practice and then get the car into the right tyre window. Everything has to be right, right from the start.'
If Red Bull upgrades fail to work at Belgian Grand Prix
Helmut Marko, however, also indicated that if the updates fail to help Verstappen improve his race performance, they may stop thinking about remaining in the championship at all.
Max Verstappen is currently third in the Driver Standings with 165 points. Mercedes driver George Russell is a close fourth with 147 points. If he slips out of the top three, he may be free to leave Red Bull before his contract comes to an end. On the other hand, McLaren's Oscar Piastri is leading with 234 points and has his teammate Lando Norris in a close second with 226 points.
Also Read:
Inside Max Verstappen's yacht outing with Kelly Piquet, daughter Lily: Drinks, surfing — but no Toto Wolff
But the Belgian Grand Prix is Verstappen's home race, and he has won it three times consecutively — in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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