Wrong rear wing leaves Verstappen struggling in Las Vegas
A technical error by Red Bull Racing is being blamed for a challenging start to Max Verstappen’s weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he aims to clinch another Formula 1 championship. According to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, the team mistakenly brought the wrong rear wing to the United States, hampering their performance on the high-speed Las Vegas circuit.
“We don’t have the smaller rear wing with us, which would definitely help,” Marko told Autosport.com. “We see our competitors using it, but it’s not something we can fly in last minute from Milton Keynes [Red Bull’s UK headquarters].”
Verstappen and teammate Sergio Pérez struggled during the second practice session, both placing near the back of the grid. The Red Bull cars were up to seven kilometers per hour slower than competitors like Mercedes and McLaren on the straights, where reduced drag from a smaller rear wing provides a crucial advantage.
Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, highlighted additional challenges posed by the unusually cool temperatures in Las Vegas, which hovered around 10 degrees Celsius. “It’s about tires and temperature—those are the two critical elements so far,” Horner told F1TV. “On long runs, the car was okay, but in short runs, we’re not where we need to be.”
Verstappen’s championship hopes hinge on finishing ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris or scoring no more than two points fewer than the British driver. However, the current struggles leave the outcome uncertain.
“We haven’t secured the title yet,” Horner said. “Our pace isn’t there, and if we fail to finish, the championship race could reopen entirely.”
Horner praised Verstappen’s season despite the challenges. “Max has been brilliant this year. He’s remained calm through tough periods, and no driver deserves the championship more than him this year.”
Formula 1 reporter Louis Dekker questioned how such a misstep occurred at the highest level of racing. “If Marko’s comments are accurate, this is a glaring oversight,” Dekker said. “The rear wing is such a critical component for performance and simulations. It’s surprising that a championship-winning team couldn’t arrange to get the right wing to Las Vegas.”
Dekker noted the possibility that the issue may not fully explain Red Bull’s struggles. “It could be a storm in a teacup. Verstappen’s complaints in practice were mainly about tire grip, which is where time can still be gained.”
Despite the frustrations, Verstappen acknowledged improvements in the car’s balance, which has been a recurring issue this season. “There’s potential to gain more time,” he said, remaining focused on the adjustments needed to overcome the setback.
