Red Bull shocked the grid when Max Verstappen slipped into second on the Miami qualifying front row, a rare finish after missing Q3 in Japan. The Dutch driver joked about the unexpected placement, noting the team had targeted a top‑seven start but ended up front‑row ready for the race today.

Verstappen traced the turnaround to a repaired steering system that had plagued the RB22. The team swapped the entire steering rack and supporting parts during spring break, allowing the driver to feel the wheel again and push harder, a change he credits with the one‑second gain over rivals in Miami.

The overhaul coincided with a major upgrade package that re‑designed sidepods, floor, and a new wing. While the steering fix improved comfort, Verstappen said the aerodynamic changes were the real driver of performance, closing the gap to the front by about a second compared to the opening race in 2024.

Red Bull’s leap has lifted team morale, with Verstappen comparing the gain to a football club scoring goals. The development signals rivals that the Austrian outfit can still pivot after early setbacks. The team now looks to sustain this pace into the last round of the 2024 season.