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Max Verstappen

Verstappen calls on Red Bull to prioritise reliability over pace

Max Verstappen has called on Red Bull to have "cleaner" race weekends, despite consecutive one-two finishes from the team in 2023.

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Red Bull have made their best start to a Formula 1 season to date by claiming consecutive one-two victories and taking 87 points from a maximum of 88.

It's also the first time Red Bull have claimed consecutive one-two finishes since the 2009 season, and they have the chance to take three in a row for the first time in their history at the next event in Melbourne.

However, reliability issues have threatened to derail Red Bull's progress, with the most notable issue coming in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian GP, when reigning champion Max Verstappen qualified in P15 following a driveshaft issue.

Verstappen: 'Background' issues also affecting us

When asked if Red Bull's pace advantage could be sustained over an entire season, Verstappen conceded that the reliability problems, including "background" issues, must be the priority at the team.

"I hope [we can stay at the front] for a long time, but it's not only about the pace of the car: we need to make sure we are reliable without any issues," Verstappen told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"My first weekend was not very clean, because of just the big balance shift from testing to the race weekend, and some other things which are going on in the background.

"And now again, after three positive practice sessions, where then of course, I have an issue in Qualifying.

"We have to do better. Absolutely. But also just have a cleaner weekend, I think that would be nice as well."

Also interesting:

Join RacingNews365.com journalists Michael Butterworth and Dieter Rencken, with new host Balve Baines, as they discuss the key talking points from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

F1 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix RN365 News dossier

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