Max reflects on first six races and previews Canada

Published on 02 June 2015 by Stefan Meens

After the first six races of the 2015 Formula 1 world championship, Verstappen.nl caught up with the youngest ever Formula 1 driver. Time to reflect on the first third of the season with Max Verstappen and to preview the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix. “I've been so busy I forget how fast this year is going by. So far, the first six races weren’t bad.”

“2015 is year of learning but I've been able to put in good results. In some races I was unlucky but that's racing.” Max only finished in two of the first six races after a crash and three DNFs due to technical issues. “It does make you stronger as a driver because you learn from your setbacks. It's better that it happens now as opposed to later in your career, when it's more difficult to accept. Of course I want to score points, but this makes me stronger.”

In the narrow streets of Monte Carlo, Max stole the show despite a slow pit stop limiting his chances for a good result. “After the pit stop I was gutted but I quickly picked myself up and tried to work my way back to the front. Speed wise we had a good weekend in Monaco so I was pleased with that.”

Max' racing prowess and instinct, shown when cleverly overtaking Carlos Sainz and Valtteri Bottas, earned the Dutchman a lot of praise. “It was convenient that I was able to stick with Vettel, who was lapping the drivers ahead of me. I instantly thought 'that's useful to overtake'. If I'd continued, I'm sure we had a chance to score points. So Monaco was actually a good race.”

Unfortunately, the race ended in lap 64 with Max crashing hard into barriers after a collision with Romain Grosjean. “Without a doubt it was my biggest crash. The impact was 30G”, explains Max, who emphasises he didn’t attempt to overtake Grosjean when the two collided. “You just see the barrier come towards you and you're thinking 'I really have to brace myself'. You know you're about to crash.”

“But that crash is behind me now. There's nothing I can change and everything is said and done. It's time to move on and I’m fully focused on Canada.” To prepare for the upcoming Grand Prix in Montreal, Max spend a full day in Red Bull Racing's simulator in Milton Keynes. “It's mainly to help Scuderia Toro Rosso with the car's set up and to prepare myself for the race. All went well. I did a lot of laps. Montreal is a fun track, you get close to the wall quite often.”

Despite his preparation, Max is hesitant to give a prediction. “It depends on our qualifying and our race speed. Also, anything can happen in Canada with a high chance of a safety car. With the right strategy and pace I see potential”, says the young Dutchman, despite a five-place grid penalty. “Yes, it means I'll have to do a few overtakes”, concludes an optimistic Max.