Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has labelled Max Verstappen as the favourite heading into the United States Grand Prix this weekend.
Verstappen enters the event having won the previous two rounds in Malaysia and Singapore, Red Bull's only victories this year.
The team struggled for form throughout much of the campaign, however recent upgrades have allowed it to get itself back in the mix at the head of the order.
When asked if Verstappen should be considered the favourite for the US Grand Prix, Palmer told the F1 Nation podcast: "I think so.
"The fact that they can be so good in the low speed... Singapore is bumpy.
"You also need to ride the kerbs pretty heavily, that's been a weakness of Red Bull. The low-speed cornering we saw in Baku was pretty good.
"Straight-line speed generally seems to be pretty strong, which we saw in Baku and Malaysia. In Malaysia, we saw the high-speed cornering wasn't bad.
"Ferrari were king of the corners in Singapore and Malaysia when you compare their laps to Max, but the overall package that Ferrari has means that the power unit is still such a hindrance."
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Throughout the year, it was regular to hear Verstappen voice his complaints over the team radio.
But Palmer highlighted that his concerns have calmed of late, labelling it as a key indicator that the car has improved.
With the team introducing its final major upgrade of the year in Baku, Palmer suggested it now seems free of weakness.
"I look at the Red Bull with the upgrades and the weaknesses that we used to hear don't seem to be there.
"They're good at kerb riding. I think Max mentioned once [about] the downshifts in Singapore, but they've been able to dial that out for years anyway.
"The other thing is, I wondered if Singapore might expose their ability to set the car up on a Friday because often we've seen for the last couple of years they're a little bit head-scratching on Friday, turn it around for a Saturday.
"But they were good from the first moment. No guarantee that will carry over, but right now, I don't see a weakness in it."
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding as they look ahead to this weekend's United States Grand Prix! Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari being urged to have a deep conversation is a big discussion, as is all three believing Max Verstappen is the favourite this weekend.
Rather watch this podcast? Then click here!
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