Max on the spec C-power unit: 'Every little bit helps'

Published on 01 September 2018 by Mike Motilall

Talking to Olav Mol in Ziggo’s Formule 1 Café, Max Verstappen speaks out on the new Renault-engine with which his team mate Daniel Ricciardo drove with during free practice on Friday in Monza: “We can see on the data that the spec C-power unit has more horse power, that is good. But I don’t think more than 30 bhp, in any case more than the spec B-engine. Every little bit helps. The engine is a bit faster, but we need to wait and see how the reliability is. Till now everything has remained intact.”

“The Temple of Speed, as Monza is also known as, appears to be a relatively easy circuit. Is that the case? “Monza is not the most difficult circuit. Braking with that little downforce remains tricky as you need to find your braking point. Under braking the car starts to move a little. Normally you would feel the downforce pushing you on the tarmac. Despite that an F1-car generates an enormous amount of downforce, the car still slides a little under braking. The whole thing tends to easily lock up as well. But in general Monza is not the most challenging track.”

The hybrid systems that reload the batteries while braking and the stored energy that is later released, have a different set up here, Max explains: “While braking, the batteries are fully reloaded, always. But the release of the energy, afterwards, has a more gradual set up.”

Max is realistic about his chances at the Italian Grand Prix. He predicts: “I think we will finish fifth. We have some leverage on the competition behind of us: I don’t think they are able to beat us. There isn’t much more in store than fifth. During the second practice, we were already trailing the top by a second, so that will be difficult on Saturday.”

You eventually came in third at Spa. Max on that: “Yes, but in general we were the third team there. You also need some luck: Bottas started at the back of the field and Raikkonen dropped out. We need to make sure that here in Monza we do a good job as possible and should anything happen ahead of us, we’re there to react.”

Italian GP contest: win a signed orange Max Verstappen driver cap!