Interview with Max:”Think we have one of the strongest cars”
Published on 20 November 2017 by Mike Motilall
At Exact Live, Verstappen.nl sat down with Max for a very open minded interview. In part one, the almost finished 2017 season was looked back at. In part two, we will be looking ahead at the new season and the coming years of the Dutchman at Red Bull Racing.
Max, what can we expect next year from the RB14 and the new engine?
“It’s very hard to answer that at this moment. They say it’s looking positive, but you don’t know what the competition is doing. I hope that we can be there right from the start instead that we need to work our way up again. That’s not the plan in any case. Regarding the engine, that needs to improve as well, so I am curious to see what we’ll get.”
The rules and regulations won’t change that much compared to this year. One thing that is new is the Halo. What do you think of that?
“I don’t like it at all. I am also not looking forward driving with it. Your sight is blocked and it just doesn’t belong on a Formula 1-car.”
Something that is new is a new compound. What would you call the new tyre that Pirelli is introducing?
“I think the extreme-soft.”
How would you preferably see the Formula 1 in five years’ time? And which things should be different compared to now?
“One big thing is the engine issue, the power units need to be somewhat the same. A team shouldn’t be depending on an engine to win races. The sound as well of course, that also has to do with it. And there shouldn’t be too many races, in any case not more than twenty-one.”
What do you think of the new owners of Formula 1, Liberty Media? Have you noticed anything of their presence?
“They’re Americans, so they want to do things differently. But so far I haven’t had any issues. I think that everything is going well and I am curious to see what it will bring us. The Paddock has opened up a bit more now, so that’s always nice.”
What did you think of the drivers presentation prior to the USA Grand Prix? Or Hardwell’s performance?
“A presentation like that won’t work anywhere else, but in America it fits in perfectly. Hardwell was good and I liked it. The fans thought it was super, so I am always open to things like that. As long as we are on the podium!”
Does this mean that the coming years there will be more events and extra curricular activities for you?
“That will be the case for the coming years, but it will need to be planned well.”
Some time ago, it was announced that you signed on with Red Bull Racing till 2020. This should give some confidence for the future, shouldn’t it?
“Yes, absolutely. I have faith in the team and think we have one of the strongest cars. The whole package should come together now and we’ll be waiting if that will actually happen. I am looking forward to it. I have a good click within the team and I think that that is also very important.”
The past years you have done a lot of pr activities for Red Bull. Which one did you like best? I don’t think the Durian challenge?
“The race with the caravans. That was a laugh! No, not the Durian challenge! You talking about it makes me want to throw up again! That was really foul!”
