Max Verstappen perplexed by crucial McLaren advantage

Max Verstappen has conceded that Red Bull has no answer to the clear advantage enjoyed by McLaren that allowed it to crush its rivals in the Miami Grand Prix.

From pole position, Verstappen fought "bravely", according to team principal Christian Horner, before succumbing to the pace of McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

By the chequered flag, Verstappen finished a staggering 40 seconds adrift of Piastri, who has now won four of the first six races to open up a 16-point cushion over Norris, with Verstappen a further 16 adrift.

The four-time champion finished fourth, with a protest by Red Bull against third-placed Mercedes driver George Russell dismissed by the stewards almost four hours after the race had concluded.

Verstappen highlighted the fact that in the hot, humid conditions at the Miami International Autodrome, the fact that McLaren can prevent its rear tyres from overheating was again a major factor in its one-two dominance.

"They were just miles up the road, miles faster than everyone else on a track where the thermal degradation is very high," said Verstappen, speaking to media, including RacingNews365, after the race. "They just have a massive advantage."

Asked by RacingNews365 as to why the difference in performance of the RB21 in qualifying trim compared to that in the race, Verstappen replied: "If you look at the onboard in qualifying, it's quite clear."

That referenced the fact that Verstappen's steering through the corners is more pronounced than that of the McLarens.

Verstappen added: "And then in the race, you don't need to go flat out on the limit. If your tyres are running cooler, you have more grip. It's as simple as that."

As to whether he had a theory as to how McLaren was able to keep its tyres cooler, he replied: "If we knew, then we would have changed it already, but it's not that simple."

Suggested to Verstappen that his result must feel frustrating after starting from pole and finishing so far adrift, he said: "It's not frustrating at all. We are here to win, and we were miles off that, so it doesn't matter if you are P3 or P4."

At least the Dutch driver put up a fight early on, particularly against Norris in the opening two corners that heavily compromised the British driver's race.

A small lock-up from Verstappen into Turn 1 opened the door for Norris, but after drawing alongside his rival approaching Turn 2, he was squeezed off the circuit, rejoining in sixth.

It was another example of the revised drivers' guidelines in the wake of the Verstappen/Norris battles from last season. On this occasion, Norris simply could not pass around the outside as Verstappen held his ground.

"The last race [in Saudi Arabia], the sprint race, and this one, it's quite clear what is allowed, what isn't allowed," said Verstappen. "I think everyone is adjusting to that."

Verstappen, though, is not in favour, even if, against Norris in Miami, the rules worked in his favour as, in defending, he is more aware of where a rival needs to go.

"I don't know. For me, it's always better to leave it more natural, but I just follow the rules," said Verstappen.