Max Verstappen’s verdict ahead of ‘make or break’ US GP speaks volumes in F1 title race

Max Verstappen says he isn’t sure whether Red Bull’s upgrades for this weekend’s race will ‘make or break’ his season.

But he would surely like his updated RB20 to drive a lot more smoothly at the United States Grand Prix and beyond. And if it doesn’t, then the Dutchman will be looking over his shoulder even more nervously at title rival Lando Norris.

The Brit has had a dream of a McLaren to drive in recent months while Verstappen has been left to grow more and more frustrated with an unusually uncompliant Red Bull car. As a result, Norris has closed to 52 points behind the championship leader with six rounds remaining.

Red Bull’s upgrades for this weekend’s race in Austin are much anticipated. Their outcome could be season-defining – a vast improvement can help Verstappen’s title defence, while another flop from the wind tunnel may leave the door open for Norris and McLaren.

Verstappen knows what he wants and needs from his car and will have his fingers crossed that boffins back in Milton Keynes have figured out how to give it to him again. But still he stopped short of pinning all his hopes of a fourth F1 crown on the outcome of this major update to the RB20.

He said: “I don’t know if it’s make or break, but from now on, of course, we want to make steps forward. When or how it will arrive, I don’t know yet, but we’re just trying to get the balance back together.”

There have been three weekends since the double header of the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix which have given Red Bull a window to put all their efforts into this new package. Testing them at a Sprint event like the one in Texas this weekend is far from ideal, but everyone is on a level playing field in that respect.