Max Verstappen has warned Red Bull that they “have things to work on” if want to improve next season.
Although Verstappen finished the campaign with his fourth F1 world title, Red Bull slumped to third in the constructors and 77 points off McLaren, after the British constructor beat Ferrari to get their first honour since 1998.
The 27 year-old consequently issued a warning to his team that there is room for improvement, but refused to be drawn on his expectations until pre-season whilst acknowledging that McLaren deserved the title.
“We have things to work on for next year and already have good ideas but we will see when we get into the car next year. We have had an up and down season and McLaren have been very strong from Miami onwards.
“I want to thank the Team for the season, it has been a long one but we have stuck together and ultimately to come away with a Drivers’ Championship has been fantastic.”
Team Principal, Christian Horner echoed Verstappen’s sentiments about McLaren’s success.
“Firstly, we have to congratulate McLaren, it’s incredibly tough to win a Championship and they have not taken their foot off the gas all season. Full credit where it is due, they are deserving of that trophy.”
Verstappen however endured a difficult Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after a reckless opening corner collision with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri dropped the pair down the order, which he admitted was his fault.
“My start was good and I went up the inside and then realised it was going to be tight at the apex with Oscar. I tried to stay on the kerb but unfortunately we clipped the tyres and spun which wasn’t great.
“I have already apologised to Oscar, he is one of the last guys you want to come together with and it wasn’t great.”
Verstappen ultimately recovered to sixth despite feeling that he was “stuck” in that position with “overheating” tyres, which cost him pace to battle Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell for fourth.
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