Max Verstappen: “I think I didn’t sleep for three days!”
Published on 10 May 2016 by Mike Motilall
After the announcement that Max Verstappen would be taking Daniil Kvyat’s seat at Red Bull Racing, the young Dutchman has had a pretty busy schedule. Some of the things on his agenda included him visiting the factory of his new team in Milton Keynes and driving the Catcher Car for the Wings for Life World Run in Breda. Tonight he spoke at Ziggo Sport’s Peptalk, by means of a satellite link. He disclosed that he was elated as well when he got word that he had been promoted from Scuderia Toro Rosso to Red Bull Racing: “I think I didn’t sleep for three nights!”
“I was very motivated to go straight to the team”, Max tells, “because you know that it is a top team and you also know that you have more chances to get closer to the podium. When I finally got to the factory, I couldn’t stop. I have done a lot of work in the simulator and have been very busy with the team also.”
The Milton Keynes factory is no unknown terrain for Verstappen: he spent a great many hours there in the sim when he was with Toro Rosso. “Normally I would be there as a Toro Rosso-driver and then you’re off to the simulator. Now, I am there as a brand new Red Bull Racing-driver and everyone, from all departments, are immediately coming to see you to discuss matters. There are many, new procedures, especially on the steering wheel and how to set up the car. It’s go time immediately, also with the foaming of a new seat.”
Does he feel pressure by the quick promotion and the changes? “You have a team mate that has proven that he is very fast. I try to learn as much as possible, not in the least when you’re getting into a new car in the middle of the season. But I have engineers to help me with that. We hope that we can have matters sorted in a few weekend’s time.” Regarding the question if he’s experiencing more pressure, Max calmly answers: “What pressure?”
Asked about the difference between the Red Bull RB12 and the Toro Rosso STR11, the youngster answers: “It is a complete different car. It’s more aerodynamic, a bit smaller and the seating position is different. It took some getting used to, but at this moment it feels good. The engine is not ideal at this moment, but within the next few races, we’ll be having a major update. Enabling us to somewhat close the gap to Ferrari and Mercedes.”
In less than a weeks’ time, it’s go time for the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. That is a circuit where a lot of testing takes place, so everyone knows the track very well. Is that a good or a bad thing? “I think that it is quite positive for me: I can focus on getting to learn the car better.”
Later that night, with Humberto Tan at RTL Late Night, Verstappen mentions the fact he will no longer be working with his Toro Rosso race-engineer Xevi Pujolar at Red Bull. “I had a good working relationship with Xevi, which is important if you want to perform well. But at Red Bull, they also have very good engineers as well, or else you wouldn’t be able to reach that level with a team like that. On one hand, it is a pity that Xevi is not joining me also, but on the other hand, it is a good thing to embrace a new adventure and meet new people. You need to learn to adapt as well.”
