MAX VERSTAPPEN SHATTERS RED BULL HYPE IN LAS VEGAS: ‘STOP ASSUMING WE’RE FAST!’
Max Verstappen has dramatically dismissed the growing belief that Red Bull will automatically dominate the Las Vegas Grand Prix simply because of their strong form at low-downforce circuits this season. Despite public expectations and comparisons from pundits, Verstappen insists that the high-speed Strip Circuit behaves nothing like the other tracks where Red Bull has traditionally excelled.
The Dutch superstar opened the weekend with a relatively modest performance, finishing the first practice session only fourth fastest—struggling behind drivers many expected him to easily beat, including Yuki Tsunoda. Verstappen quickly pointed out that the session was almost meaningless due to the extremely dusty and slippery surface, which made every driver fight for basic traction.
In FP2, matters became even more chaotic. The session was repeatedly disrupted by two unexpected red flags, throwing teams off rhythm and forcing drivers to adjust their run plans on the fly. Verstappen dropped to ninth place by the time the second practice ended, though he still finished comfortably ahead of teammate Sergio Pérez. But even then, he refused to let the standings mislead anyone.
Speaking after the troubled sessions, Verstappen described the opening night as “okay,” but far from straightforward. “It’s been a bit difficult to figure out what direction to go,” he admitted. “Those interruptions in FP2 made it tricky to build any momentum. We still need to tweak the setup and find more grip because right now the car doesn’t feel completely connected to the track.”
He emphasized that the track surface is evolving rapidly each session, meaning lap times and car behavior will change drastically by qualifying. “The more cars run, the quicker the track becomes,” he explained. “We’re just trying to understand how the tyres behave and how to manage them for qualifying and the race. It’s a lot to figure out.”
But the true shock came when Verstappen was asked whether Red Bull’s recent form at low-downforce venues—like Monza and Baku—means they should naturally expect strong pace in Vegas. Many believed the RB21 would thrive under similar aerodynamic demands.
Verstappen immediately shut that idea down.
The 28-year-old driver insisted that anyone comparing Las Vegas to other tracks was “missing the point entirely.” He revealed that the conditions in Nevada create an environment unlike any other on the calendar—so extreme that previous performances elsewhere mean almost nothing.
“It’s much colder here,” he said firmly, “and the surface is incredibly slick. This isn’t like Baku, Monza, or any other low-downforce track. You can’t take results from those circuits and assume they will repeat here. It doesn’t work that way.”
He stressed that the combination of frigid temperatures, low-grip tarmac, and the brand-new street layout transforms Las Vegas into a unique challenge. “Because the surface is so slippery and the tyres take a long time to warm up, the car behaves unpredictably,” Verstappen added. “You can’t automatically say we’ll be quick just because the downforce level is similar. That would be a mistake.”
His comments paint a clear picture: Red Bull is entering the Las Vegas Grand Prix with caution, not confidence.
Verstappen’s refusal to accept the comparisons suggests he sees real performance threats from rivals like McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari, who appeared strong during early running. His remarks also highlight the mental and technical battle ahead, especially with tyre temperatures expected to plunge even lower during the night sessions.
For fans expecting another dominant Red Bull weekend, Verstappen’s message is simple: don’t get comfortable. Vegas might flip the script.
As the desert cold deepens and the Strip Circuit continues to rubber in, all eyes will be on how Verstappen and Red Bull respond. Will they unlock the performance they’re known for… or will Las Vegas expose a rare weakness in the RB21?
One thing is certain: with Verstappen sounding this alarm, the Las Vegas GP just became a lot more unpredictable—and a lot more dramatic.
