Verstappen answers Red Bull 'magic trick' claims

Max Verstappen has dismissed suggestions Red Bull's superiority in a straight line, especially with the use of the Drag Reduction System (DRS), is down to the team employing 'magic tricks'.

The team's RB19 challenger has been dominant in the opening three rounds of the new campaign with Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez securing three pole positions and three race victories between each other.

Both drivers have been out of position on the grid on one occasion this season, but the simplicity in scything through the field has caught the attention of rivals and fans alike.

Verstappen's easy overtaking manoeuvres on Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in Saudi Arabia - where the Dutchman rose from 15th to second in the race - drew particular attention given the ease at which he swarmed past the W14s with DRS open into the final corner.

No surprises

Asked if he was surprised by the advantage Red Bull has when DRS is active, Verstappen told media, including RacingNews365.com: "To be honest, I am not really surprised. For us, it is just pretty similar to how it was last year.

"Our car is quite efficient on the straights but I see people talking about us doing magical things and tricks but I don't think so."

The DRS zone down the main straight at the Baku City Circuit has been reduced by 100m ahead of this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix with the FIA striving to strike enough of a balance to allow cars to fight side-by-side into Turn 1.

On whether this change would impact Red Bull, Verstappen replied: "Hopefully we don't need to use the DRS too much, that is the target.

"I don't know, it is still quite a long zone but we will find out."