Max Verstappen says Red Bull throws away two weekends a season by not developing a low-drag rear wing, after qualifying fifth for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Red Bull is losing significant time on the straights in Las Vegas due to their unsuitable rear wing design for high-speed circuits. Verstappen qualified fifth, nearly half a second behind George Russell, highlighting the team's aerodynamic disadvantage.

The team opted not to develop a lower-downforce wing since 2022 due to budget cap considerations. Verstappen expressed frustration with this decision, noting that it effectively sacrifices two race weekends per season at high-speed tracks like Las Vegas and Monza.

The performance deficit isn't limited to straight-line speed. Verstappen reported struggles with tire management and getting them into the optimal operating window. Despite maximizing their potential in qualifying, the team's P5 result (which could have been P6 if not for Lewis Hamilton's issues) reflects their current limitations.

Looking ahead to the race, Verstappen believes he can overtake Pierre Gasly but expects difficulty competing with Ferrari and Mercedes due to their superior pace. The performance of McLaren remains uncertain after both teams made setup changes following challenging long runs.

Meanwhile, teammate Sergio Perez's struggles continued with a Q1 elimination. He cited fundamental issues with the car that distract from optimizing his performance, leading to difficulties in setup and increased likelihood of mistakes.

The team's wing strategy and its impact on specific tracks will likely influence their approach to future development, especially considering the current regulations will change after next season.

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