Max looks ahead to Chinese GP: “Top five would be great”

Published on 14 April 2016 by Niels Hendrix

Looking back at the previous Grand Prix, Max Verstappen said on Thursday in Shanghai: “Bahrain was definitely very positive for me and for the team and the result was slightly unexpected. It was good to score mine and Toro Rosso's first points at that track. Apart from that, I was also pleased that I had a very clean race with no mistakes.”

After just two races, Max is optimistic about how his car will develop over the coming season. “There is definitely more to come from the car and, at this point of the year we are still working to understand more about it, which is the same for all teams and the same as happens every year”, explained Max. “But the general feeling I have is that the car reacts well to inputs and we have quite a competitive package. In Bahrain we had it set up just right, so now we must concentrate on doing that at every Grand Prix.”

The new for 2016 tyre regulations will again be an important topic for the drivers and engineers to focus on during free practice. “In general with three compounds, it's been harder to get it right this year, especially with having to make those choices very early”, Max said. “It's always a bit of a gamble and this weekend could be interesting on the tyre front because it seems the weather conditions could be quite different from day to day.”

“This track is very nice and great to drive, very technical and not so easy to understand. Last year, it was good fun until four laps from the end! It's still too early to say how competitive we will be on Sunday, but you have to be realistic: to finish further up than sixth with no retirements around us is a very good result. Last year here the car performed well in the race and I hope it's the same again this time.”

Predict Max’ fastest lap to win an Scuderia Toro Rosso team polo!