Max gives a behind the scenes for his fans
Published on 19 March 2017 by Mike Motilall
Yesterday Max Verstappen was present at the DIY-giant Hornbach in Amsterdam. Apart from the many interviews, a look back at his first year at Red Bull Racing and a preview of the coming season, Max treated the many fans, who came out in droves, and Formula 1-reporter Jack Plooij to a behind the scenes of the sport.
For starters, there is a brief looking back at the testing of the full wet tyres during the pre-season Winter test in Barcelona. The circuit was made intentionally wet. “It is of course not the same as a rainy day, like today. It also didn’t feel quite right on the new full wets. They’re broader and in the rain that is far from ideal because they can cause more wheel spin. When there is a lot of water, you can feel that from the tyres. They still need to work on that.”
In general, most of the questions are about Red Bull Racing's press officer James Ranson. He takes Max everywhere he needs to be and makes sure the Dutchman’s agenda is up to date. Verstappen explains why Ranson always records everything and if those recordings can be held against him: “No, those recordings won’t be held against me, but if the media publishes something out of line, there is always proof of what has been said.”
During a race weekend, there is always a lot of staff around. Max explains why this isn’t Red Bull’s entire staff we see walking around: “In total we have some six to seven hundred persons employed. At the track, this has been limited to sixty for each team.”
A small number of them are also busy outside the track, to also keep an eye on things during the race and to advise the team at the pit wall. This happens in a so called ‘control center’.”Everything is monitored there on a large screen, the largest 4K screen in Europe. This can be divided into different other screens, on which the data is shown in real time. Almost ninety percent of all decisions are made there, like choices regarding pit stops and strategies. Many things are calculated, like what speed we need to maintain, at which point are the other teams closing in on us or when we need to come in. At the pit wall it is more to do about the driver.”
Max also talks about his race-engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase: “Actually, he is the only one that talks to me, but when it is really necessary, the team principal will have a word also.” The fact that they talk to him constantly during a race is not an issue for the Dutchman. “They know when and where to talk. As long as they don’t do it while I am braking.” Max often asks his team a fair share of questions. “Yes, I do at almost every race. Like how many laps more to go or on what compound are the others running on. At the start of the season you were not allowed to ask that many questions. Afterwards they changed it so you are able to ask what you want to.”
Max will often watch a race again afterwards. “If it was a good race, I will. But not a bad one. I usually don’t watch an entire race, just portions of it where something happens. I want to see what happened during a certain situation or a pit stop. I usually do this after the debriefing.”
In conclusion, Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, is also discussed. Max is very positive regarding his boss: “He is a very kind person and motivates everyone. That is just really important.” Whether a team principal should have a preference for a driver or not? “In normal circumstances he shouldn’t, but he doesn’t show any. He is objective and happy with both drivers. I would be as well…”
