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 has been 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 and prioritization of other developments. Verstappen expressed his desire for a more efficient wing design but acknowledged the limited remaining time under current regulations might not justify the investment.

The performance deficit isn't limited to straight-line speed; Red Bull is also struggling in corners and with tire management. Verstappen believes P5 was the maximum achievable result given their current package, noting they benefited from Lewis Hamilton's inability to set a qualifying lap.

Looking ahead to the race, Verstappen expects to overtake Pierre Gasly but considers Ferrari and Mercedes too quick to challenge. His teammate Sergio Perez's situation is more challenging, having been eliminated in Q1 due to fundamental car issues that are affecting his performance.

Perez revealed he's struggling with grip and car setup, leading to exploration of various solutions during race weekends instead of focusing on maximizing performance. This ongoing issue has made him prone to mistakes and unable to demonstrate his true potential.

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