Interview: Max checks in at factory Red Bull Racing
Published on 05 May 2016 by Niels Hendrix
Following the announcement that Max Verstappen will join Daniel Ricciardo in the RB12 for the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya next week, the Dutchman arrived at the Red Bull Racing factory in Milton Keynes to meet the team and get preparations underway.
Before he got started on what is sure to be a busy week for him and the team, we caught up with Max to get the inside line on his feelings of becoming a driver for Red Bull Racing.
On hearing the news...
Max: “Well, of course I was very happy. A bit shocked as well - I didn't expect it, but yes I'm very happy with the opportunity of course. I have to say a big thank you to Red Bull and Dr Helmut Marko and now I just can't wait to jump into the car.”
On the likely difference between the STR11 and RB12...
Max: “Well hopefully it will be faster, that's the main target. I just hope to feel comfortable in the car because that's what a driver needs. We'll find out in Barcelona. I have never driven the RB12 before, it will be a new experience and there are a lot of procedures to learn, but I'm up for it.
On adapting to the team and car...
Max: “I just take it quite relaxed and see where it goes. I'll work as closely as I can with the engineers, study the procedures and also try to learn from my team-mate.”
On his knowledge of the team...
Max: “Well of course, I know a lot about what they've done in the history of Formula One. This team is very competitive and I am also a very competitive person, so hopefully it'll be a perfect match.”
On Spanish Grand Prix pressure...
Max: “I go there with no expectations to be honest. I just want to adapt to the car, understand it better and better every session and like I said before, study the data and see what my teammate is doing because the most important thing is to score points.”
On driving for Red Bull Racing...
Max: “I wouldn't say more pressure to be honest. Of course I'm driving for a top team now, but in the end you always try to do your best which is what I always try to do. For me, I don't feel more pressure.”
On Jos' reaction to the news...
Max: “He was very proud to be honest. He was very happy of course because he invested a lot of time also in me when I was younger and we started together in go-karting where he helped me out a lot and I learned a lot from him. For sure, if he was not helping me, I wouldn't be standing here today.”
On Daniel Ricciardo...
Max: “I've started to get to know him a little bit and we actually live in the same building in Monaco! For sure we can have a good relationship.”
On offers from other teams...
Max: “To be honest, I was always very happy at Red Bull. I never saw reason to change and of course with this opportunity there is no reason to change so I'm happy to be here.”
On the feeling of driving for Red Bull Racing...
Max: “It's a great honour and it's a top team and that's where every driver wants to drive I think. I can't wait to get started.”
