The Dutchman, who is seeking a fourth successive drivers’ title, was beaten for the second time in six races this season when Lando Norris utilised his upgraded McLaren to claim a maiden Formula 1 victory in Miami two weeks ago.
Ferrari were the other team to deny Red Bull a victory this season when Carlos Sainz led Charles Leclerc to a one-two in March’s Australian Grand Prix, and the Italian team will bring their first significant upgrade package of the season to the first European race of the campaign.
Asked if it was important for Red Bull to respond to their rivals’ upgrades, Verstappen said: “It’s not responding. These things are already planned out. It’s not like one team comes with upgrades and we are like, ‘oh, we need to put something together’. It’s already in the pipeline.
“We are happy with it but naturally, you need to keep on pushing because the teams behind are catching up. As we saw in Miami, when we don’t get things 100 per cent right, they are ahead. We have to try to make sure we don’t have too many of those weekends.”
After Red Bull won all but one of last season’s 22 races, Ferrari looked set to push the reigning constructors’ champions closer in making a strong start to 2024, but the raft of changes McLaren brought to Miami has set up the enticing prospect of three-way battles for race wins.
“Ferrari have got a big upgrade. It’s difficult to know where we are going to be,” Verstappen continued.
