Max Verstappen has decided to trim his downtime this week, opting to work closely with Red Bull engineers and leadership as the team grapples with its ongoing difficulties.
While speculation swirls around Liam Lawson's potential exit, the real issue lies in the RB21's challenging handling and its lack of pace, which Verstappen believes trails McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
Team advisor Dr Helmut Marko revealed after Shanghai that critical upgrades are being rushed for deployment at Suzuka.
"A quick fix like that, if it works out, would be great. But we can't rely on it," the 81-year-old Austrian cautioned.
The four-time world champion shares that uncertainty. "It's difficult to say when things will get better," said the Dutchman. "Hopefully in Japan, of course."
Marko highlighted an important meeting scheduled in Milton Keynes this week, and it's now confirmed that 27-year-old Verstappen will attend. "Max will come to the factory to discuss the weaknesses," Marko verified.
This comes despite Verstappen's initial intention to spend the week in Monaco with his girlfriend Kelly Piquet, who is nearing the end of her pregnancy. Sources say a plane will be ready should he need to dash back for the birth.
Marko remains unconcerned that impending fatherhood might distract Verstappen. "It won't bother him," he told Osterreich newspaper.
"The race and the world championship are his absolute priority."
