Max Verstappen reveals Red Bull tool to unravel McLaren trick

Max Verstappen has revealed Red Bull is utilising AI to understand how McLaren is managing to keep its tyres in strong shape over a long distance.

The Woking-based squad has been the benchmark for the rest of the field at the start of the current season, taking five wins in the first six rounds.

Its biggest advantage is being able to maintain life in the Pirelli compounds throughout the race, allowing it to bridge a large gap over the competition.

Reports have suggested Red Bull has discovered the temperature in the McLaren brake drums is lower than expected, a legal trick the Milton Keynes squad is trying to copy.

When asked if it is possible to solve tyre wear issues during the season, Verstappen told select media including RacingNews365: "I think it's a little different now.

“They are just very clever over there [at McLaren].”

Red Bull currently sit third in the drivers' championship with Verstappen securing most of the squad's points.

As it looks to close in on the deficit and consistently challenge at the front of the field, Red Bull has been making use of AI to gain an understanding of the systems in play at McLaren.

“We are working on it,” Verstappen said. “It's not easy, otherwise everyone would already have it on the car. 

“We are talking about it, of course. I must say, AI is very good for it. You can analyse a lot of things with that.”

Verstappen called on Red Bull to eliminate one of its biggest concerns, which is the overheating of tyres.

“We first have to make sure our tyres don't overheat,” Verstappen added. “That is still our biggest problem. 

“We can put 10 more updates on the car, but the most important thing is to have those tyres in control.”