Disgruntled Max Verstappen issues damning Red Bull verdict: 'I'm going home'

Max Verstappen decided he was “going home” towards the end of the Miami Grand Prix as he struggled for pace.

Having started from pole position, Verstappen dropped behind the two McLaren drivers by lap 18 as the Woking-based squad flexed its race pace muscles.

Verstappen later dropped off the podium-scoring places as the timing of a virtual safety car allowed George Russell to jump him in the pit lane.

The four-time champion brushed off the significance of missing out on the final podium spot as he declared his sole intention is to win.

"It just wasn't good enough," Verstappen told Viaplay. “0.0 chance. Of course I did try something with those McLarens. 

“I had nothing to lose anyway, so having a little fun. I couldn't make anything more out of it anyway. 

“A virtual safety car, it can happen. It doesn't really matter if you finish third or fourth.”

Verstappen was also heard complaining about his brakes during the race, and as he tried different methods to keep himself in play, he soon realised Red Bull had no answer.

“The brakes are more often a problem, so we have to work on that,” he added. 

“I just couldn't follow well. As soon as I wanted to go even a little bit harder, the tyres got too hot again and you just couldn't attack again. 

“At one point, I thought: never mind. I kept the difference within five seconds, but I was like: I'm going home.”