Verstappen declares Red Bull ‘priority’ during F1 slump

Max Verstappen has highlighted Red Bull’s “priority” to return to the front of the grid in order to maintain its advantage in the F1 title fight.

The reigning world champions have slipped back in the pecking order at recent events and have not won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix in June.

Its margin over McLaren in the constructors’ championship has dropped to just seven points.

Red Bull endured a tough race last time out at Monza, with Verstappen crossing the line in sixth place – matching his worst result of the season.

“I have been back in the factory with the team this week and on the sim ahead of the double header,” Verstappen said. 

“Monza was a tough race and it is our priority to get our form back to where it needs to be. 

“We always want to be more competitive and the Team has been working hard to improve the issues we have been seeing with the car from the past few races.”

This weekend will see the return of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – a race that Verstappen has won just once in his F1 career.

“We are now back to the flyaways with this first race returning to Baku,” the Dutchman added. 

“It is always a good challenge coming here and is an interesting track to drive, being a street circuit with long straights, so we are ready to get back racing again and see what the weekend brings.”