Jos Verstappen sends Red Bull critical F1 title fight warning

Jos Verstappen has warned Red Bull must return to form this weekend in Imola or likely wave goodbye to hopes of winning the title.

McLaren has commenced the new season in top form, winning five out of the six races staged.

A clean sweep of victories was denied by Max Verstappen in Japan last month, with a duo of other podium results keeping him within reach of the championship lead.

However, McLaren displayed dominant pace last time out in Miami with race-winner Oscar Piastri taking the chequered flag 37 seconds ahead of the next non-McLaren challenger.

Red Bull has introduced upgrades at Imola this weekend, as have the rest of the front-runners.

Jos sees the new parts at Red Bull as crucial to the outcome of the title fight this year.

“They'll come up with updates anyway, because of course that's what they called out adamantly at the beginning of the season,” he told RaceXpress. 

“In Imola, it's going to happen, so I'm curious. It is absolutely important that it goes in the right direction. 

“Otherwise, the gap will just get too big. The next three races, the points difference really has to start narrowing, otherwise it won't work at all this year.”

While Verstappen has been able to keep up with the McLarens in qualifying, it has consistently slipped back in the race when McLaren flexed its muscles.

“Surely I'll hear from Max how the feeling is and what the standings are,” Jos added, who confirmed he will not be present in Imola this weekend. 

“That's important, plus however the race goes. That's where we lose the most anyway."