Red Bull simulator driver says Max Verstappen has his ‘twinkle’ back after Miami upgrades

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Red Bull test driver Rudy van Buren has claimed that it is ‘clear’ Max Verstappen got his ‘twinkle’ back during the Miami Grand Prix.

So far in 2026, Verstappen has endured a tough season, having been left behind by the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren.

However, ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, it was reported that Red Bull were planning to introduce multiple upgrades to the RB22.

After making changes to the car, it was clear that Verstappen felt much happier as he managed to challenge the front-runners for the first time this season.

In the end, Verstappen finished in fifth place, behind George Russell, Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli.

Here’s how the championship standings look after the Miami GP! 🏆

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Rudy van Buren says Max Verstappen has his ‘twinkle’ back after the Miami Grand Prix

Although it is still not where Verstappen wants to be, Van Buren has claimed that the Dutchman has his ‘twinkle’ back, and it showed during the Miami Grand Prix as he was able to ‘go for it’.

Speaking on the RacingNews365 podcast, Van Buren was asked to explain ‘What Max felt again?’, he replied: “The chance to lead.

“Look, the first races of the year were of course, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th place. Well, it has become clear that the updates are positive.

“You see right away that twinkle is back and then he goes for it and you can see it in him. That was real motivation.”

Some brilliant performances in South Beach! But who is your Driver of the Day for the Miami Grand Prix?

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Fellow Dutch racing driver, Tom Coronel, agreed, he said: “The corners of the mouth turned up too.

“He didn’t become driver of the day for nothing. Let’s be honest. What he showed again, of course, is that it really can be about a driver again.

“The way he went with Russell, with Leclerc and with Norris, yeah, everything was just on the limit, and that is just beautiful to see.

“By the way, I also thought it was really cool to see that a Lawson, for example, made it difficult, Sainz. It really was a driver battle again, instead of a battery battle.”

READ MORE: Juan Pablo Montoya can’t believe Max Verstappen is being praised for making a mistake in Miami

Max Verstappen explains opening lap spin during Miami Grand Prix

Starting from P2, Verstappen went down the inside looking to take the lead of the Grand Prix, but ended up locking up going into the first corner.

At Turn 2, Verstappen spun and was dropped into the midfield. In the end, the Dutchman climbed back up the field to finish in fifth place.

Speaking after the race, Verstappen admitted that he lost the rear at Turn 2, which led to the spin.

As reported by RacingNews365, Verstappen said: “It was quite hectic, I lost the rear into Turn 2, and then of course I tried to minimise the time loss by doing the 360.

“I thought I was going to crash, so I floored it, and I managed to do a good 360, so yeah, if Formula 1 doesn’t work out, I can always go rallying. I pushed into the corner, and just lost something, the rear just started to slide, and once it goes with the heavy fuel, it is hard to catch.”