Red Bull draw first conclusion on Max Verstappen update

Helmut Marko has provided an early indication to how the upgraded floor on Max Verstappen's Red Bull is performing.

The Milton Keynes-based squad bolted the new part to the bottom of the Dutchman's RB21 for the Miami Grand Prix. Although, Yuki Tsunoda will have to wait for the development. 

It does, however, afford the six-time constructors' champions the opportunity to run a side-by-side evaluation of the two specifications across the entire weekend at the Miami International Autodrome.

Specifically, Verstappen has updated floor fences and floor edges on his car. The former, in theory, provides a small increase in downforce without compromising stability, whilst the latter, which has increased camber, further exacerbates that enhancement.

In the sole practice session in Florida, the four-time F1 drivers' champion was six-tenths of a second quicker than his team-mate, finishing the hour third fastest, whilst Tsunoda was eighth.

Despite the late Ollie Bearman-induced red flag, that is the truest representation between the two cars, on account of the Japanese driver failing to make it past SQ1 in sprint qualifying.

Verstappen, who completed his final push lap, in SQ3, early, so he will line up for the sprint in fourth.

Marko detailed an important finding so far, despite the round in the Sunshine State being only one day and two sessions old.

"Compared to Yuki, who does not yet have the new floor, Max struggles with less understeer," the 82-year-old told ServusTV.

"However, that doesn't mean there is no more understeer at all. But at least we seem to be working in the right direction with it."