Max: “Apart from the wasps, I wouldn’t change anything on Spa”
Published on 20 August 2015 by Mike Motilall
The Formula 1-circus has landed on Spa-Francorchamps, the legendary circuit in the Belgian Ardennes, that will be transformed into Dutch territory this week. During the home Grand Prix of Max Verstappen, thousands of Dutch – and of course Belgian – fans are expected.
As a prelude to the action on Friday, the 17-year old driver was invited to attend the FIA press conference; he was accompanied by the likes of Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton, Daniil Kvyat and Will Stevens. Max firstly looks back at his successful run on the Hungaroring, where he finished fourth: “I think it was an unexpected result but, you still need to be there when people make mistakes or have problems. I was very happy to finish fourth especially after the beginning of the race which was a bit difficult for me."
“The first half of the season went quite well. I think if I knew this before I would have signed off”, Max continues in front of the international press corps. “It’s time again to focus on this weekend, my home Grand Prix. Won’t be as good as Hungary, but hopefully we can get some good chances again. We just have to optimize everything.”
As Max relayed previously, he hasn’t taken driving lessons yet, he repeats it again in front of the camera: I still don’t have a driving licence, I am still not eighteen. I don’t have so much time, so I will do it later.”
From next year onwards the radio messages between the team and the F1-driver will be hugely restrained. After Alonso has given his views on this, Max’ opinion is also asked. “I don’t think it will change a lot. You always drive by your instincts. You feel when the tyres are dropping off so the engineer doesn’t need to tell you that. You learn that already from a very young age. I don’t mind to talk a little bit less on the radio."
Last year Max won all three races in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship on Spa-Francorchamps. Does that give him more confidence now he’s driving a F1-car here for the first time? “I’m always confident. I’m racing against very competitive and experienced drivers, but I always try to do my best.”
Every driver thinks it’s great to take on the seven kilomters long, challenging track. But what would Max want to improve if anything? “There are quite a lot of wasps, I don’t like them”, Max laughingly replies. “That’s the only thing. I think the track is great!”
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