Max to make final Formula 3 appearance in Macau
Published on 11 November 2014 by Niels Hendrix
Max Verstappen will climb into the cockpit of a Formula 3 car for the final time at the Macau Grand Prix (13–16 November).
Max, after the final round of the season, you now head off to the Macau Grand Prix for what is regarded as the unofficial Formula 3 world final. What do you expect from this race?
“I would obviously love to win this race and will be going all out to do just that. However, the circuit is completely new to me. I know there is a relatively large risk of flying off the track and destroying your car. As such, it will be important to take full advantage of the practice time available. As I have had a lot to do in recent weeks, I have not had chance to do many laps of Macau in the simulator. I’ve probably done about thirty, but at least I know what to expect.”
How important is this race in your opinion?
“Macau is a motorsport classic. It is different from the races in the European Championship, as Macau is just one single event, so it is all or nothing. All that matters is winning, while in the European Championship, you are rewarded for your performance over the course of the season’s 33 races. When you see who has won there, then you cannot fail to recognise the importance of this race. You could compare it to the Zandvoort Masters, which I won this year. Macau will be a nice challenge for me.”
Do street circuits suit you?
“Yes, they do actually. In Pau, for example, I was unlucky not to get a good result, but my pace was good. I regard the race weekends at the Norisring and in Spa, on which I won all three races, as among my best this season.”
When you look back on your season in Formula 3, what is the most important experience you have gained this year?
“There are a number of things. Firstly, the race experience in the car, how to look after the tyres, and how to behave when battling for position, which is very different to the way you drive in karting. Then there is the cars’ technology, the data analysis and, primarily, the work with the technicians and engineers. Also, driving with downforce was new to me.”
In your opinion, what role to the engines play in Formula 3?
“As a racing driver, you generally want to have as much power as possible at your disposal. In Formula 3, the engine technicians play a particularly big role. It is all about getting as much performance as possible out of the engine, whilst adhering to the restrictions specified in the regulations. The more powerful the engine, the more downforce the driver can bring into play. In this regard, Volkswagen has always given me very good support. The Volkswagen technicians have also been incredibly helpful with the data analysis. I am sure that our engine will be perfectly prepared for Macau.”
What does your schedule look like either side of Macau?
“I was at the Formula One Grand Prix in Brazil, where I took part in free practice. I then flew straight from there to Macau. And there is no time for a breather afterwards: I head straight to the Formula One race in Abu Dhabi, where I will take part in free practice and the ‘Young Driver Test’. It will be quite hectic, but I am really looking forward to it.”
