Verstappen wants to bounce back with intense simulator work

Although Max Verstappen failed to win the last two races, the Dutchman is eager to bounce back at the twisty Hungaroring, having completed a thorough work in Red Bull's simulator.

Although the reigning champion dominantly leads the drivers' points standing this year, McLaren and Mercedes appear to have completely closed in on the Austro-British outfit.

The close competition saw Verstappen fail to qualify in the top three last time out at Silverstone, and although a push in the closing stages of the British Grand Prix helped the Dutchman work his way up into second place, he failed to win a race for the second time in a row.

"Hungary is an interesting track and we are looking forward to racing there this week," started the reigning champion. "The circuit is very narrow and twisty and has a very technical second sector; it will also be quite a bit warmer this week too.

"Silverstone was a tricky race for us: although we made all the right calls, we still have a lot to work and improve on going into the second half of the season.

Expanding on the preparation for this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, the championship runaway leader insisted that he visited Red Bull's Milton Keynes-based factory to perform simulator work to come up with the optimal setup for his RB20.

"I have been back at the factory with the Team on the sim preparing for the upcoming race, which has been good. We have also been at Goodwood this weekend, marking 20 years of Red Bull and celebrating everyone who has been a part of the Team’s history.

"Finally, we had a brilliant race in Hungary last year and have good memories here as we achieved 12 wins in a row. Hopefully, we can have a great race again this year and achieve another good Team result," concluded the three-time world champion.

His team-mate Sergio Pérez is under immense pressure following his recent run of dismal results. Although the Mexican finished on the podium four times in the opening five races, he failed to qualify in the opening

"It has been good to be able to have a period of time following the British GP, being able to take yourself away from the noise of the racetrack can sometimes be especially important.

"While I have spent time with my family and trained hard, I have also been in the factory with my Team, on the sim and analysing how we improve this current period of form. We always work together on solutions and that is what we have been doing, working as a Team to overcome things.

"I think you can see how special Red Bull Racing is in moments like Goodwood Festival of Speed on Sunday, to see our history so clearly, running up the hill together, reminds you of how much we have achieved and how much we still have to achieve," noted the Mexican.