Max looks ahead at the new Formula 1-season

Published on 05 February 2018 by Mike Motilall

Max is gearing up for his fourth Formula 1-season. The Red Bull Racing-driver looks back at a very busy winter, he also previews the coming season.

Work has already started for Max Verstappen. The first Grand Prix is 'only' on March 25th, but until then, on February 26th, the first of the pre-season winter testing is on the agenda in Barcelona. Meanwhile, he’s been busy working out for some time now and also preparing himself at the factory. RedBull.com got the latest from the youngster. Things such as a brief vacation, relaxing, the feeling after a first day of testing and his chances in 2018.

Max, you’re starting with your fourth season now, how different does that feel compared to the first and how does your preparation differ?
Max: “You’re a bit more relaxed. You know what to expect. It’s more ‘go with the flow’. Physically you get stronger of course, so you work out harder, but in general I would say that the preparation is in that respect basically the same.”

Looking at your social media, you’ve worked out a lot and also had a lot of pr to do, but what did you do in order to relax?
“Just being at home, gaming with my friends, going out, eating out. And sleeping – a lot of sleeping!”

We saw you visiting Red Bull’s skiing competition in Kitzbühel, have you yourself also been skiing this year?
“I skied for two and a half hour, then I got ill and just went home (laughs). If Red Bull needs to worry if I go out skiing? As long as I don’t break anything!”

The pre-season winter testing is fast approaching. What do the tests really say about the new season? Last year you later on admitted that you almost immediately knew that the start would be difficult…
“That’s exactly it: normally it gives you an impression of where you are at the beginning of the year. But the most important thing is to test the reliability and to see how the car behaves during the tests.”

Are you able to say if the car is good or not after a few laps?
“After the first day definitely. Yes, absolutely.”

How much time have you spent, the last couple of months, at the Red Bull Racing-factory in Milton-Keynes?
“I have spent a great many days there. End of December and beginning of January I was off, but after that, you’re quickly back at work again.”

The halo cockpit protection device will make its début in 2018 in Formula 1. Resulting in the cars getting heavier. Some drivers reported that they needed to lose some weight…
“I don’t have anymore weight to lose! It’s quite simple: I just need to stay as is.”

The rules for the coming season remain quite the same in general. Does that give you some confidence after the strong finish in 2017?
“Yes, we still need to of course wait and see how competitive we are with the new car and engine. But being a driver, you always need to have faith in yourself, I think.”