Verstappen.nl in conversation with Max: 'There is a positive vibe'

Published on 27 February 2019 by Mike Motilall

While Pierre Gasly made tracks on the fifth day of testing in the RB15 on the Barcelona circuit, Verstappen.nl had an extensive conversation with Max Verstappen in the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s motorhome. In this part, the Dutchman talks about the winter stop, the new RB15 and the changes in the regulations. In the second part of the interview, which will be live coming Thursday, we look ahead at the new season, we explore the developments in the Formula 1 and also discuss racing in the virtual world.

How was the winterstop?
“Pretty relaxed. I just wanted to be home a lot and that worked out pretty fine. I spent time with family and friends at home and was able to do my own thing. Apart from that I also spent a lot of time in my own simulator.”

How was the first week of testing for you? The reliability seems alright, doesn’t it?
“I think that is the most important thing. As years go by, you know more and more what to look for during such a test. It’s not even about lap times. The most important thing for me is that we are able to put in a lot of laps, are able to test every part and also see if everything stays intact.”

“It also doesn’t matter if you’re running with a heavy fuel load or not, because you are quite quickly able to see where things can be improved. That is one of the things we are now busy with, also with finding a good balance in the car. Unfortunately with the new wings it is not that easy to get that sorted out. Besides that I also focus on myself. Meaning that I make sure that I am comfortable in the car and don’t have any pain or any discomfort.”

Is there anything in particular that the team will be focusing on this week?
“We will be looking at where we can improve the car. That can be by trying out different set ups than the one we had last week. You then get an idea in which direction you need to go. In the background, they’re also constantly busy tackling the aerodynamics to see what can be improved.”

How do you spend your time during winter testing on the days that you’re not in the car?
“It depends. Some days are busier than others, but like today it’s quite relaxed. You can also find me spending most of my time with the team, checking out what they are testing. Apart from that, I just take it easy and sometimes I take a break for an hour or so.”

Is the mood, now that you are working with Honda, different? Is there a positive mood?
“Yes, I think so. Of course, we still need to wait and see how things will go, but everyone is going about their work very relaxed and focused, so that’s very good.”

What are the main differences between last year’s car and this one?
“The biggest difference is actually the seating, that’s a bit different now, as I tend to be more in a lying position. The wing also is of course a bit more sensitive, because it’s slightly less optimal for the air flow to the rear. Apart from that, there are only some minor things.”

Do you feel any difference in driving with the Honda engine?
“Yes, it’s much nicer. Everything runs a bit smoother. It’s maybe not obvious from the outside, but I don’t notice anything while I am driving.”

Have you taken the new car to its limits yet?
“You see, it’s not that you are cruising around the track putting in the laps. During qualifying, you take it to the limit to get the best out of it. But now I watch the limit so I am able to put in the laps. If you have damage, you lose a minimum of one or two hours, and that’s not what you want as well. It’s also not about the lap times.”

We saw in previous years that there was a deficit to Ferrari and Mercedes especially during qualifying. It is difficult to say now, but how realistic is it to be able to compete for the front row?
“I have no idea, we need to wait and see. In these conditions you can of course go very fast here, but in Melbourne it could be completely different. That is a street circuit with many bumps, low grip and different downforce levels. Other circuits therefore have no relevance whatsoever.”

You’re sporting a new helmet design this year. Where did you get the idea for a white helmet?
“Last year’s helmet design got a bit lost in the car. Initially that is what I intentionally had gone for, so that it would be a unity with the car. Unfortunately, it didn’t stand out, especially with the halo. You actually need a colour that really stands out, so that means colours that glow or white.”

“Of course I would have liked to make it orange but then you wouldn’t have anything special in Spa anymore. I get many remarks from fans who would rather have the helmet orange the year round, but then I wouldn’t find it special anymore. I think it would be nicer to just use it once than it to be orange the entire year.”

What do you think of the new front- and rear wing, considering the looks and drivability?
“I don’t think there is anything wrong with the rear wing, I am now better able to look in the mirrors. It actually looks a bit more butch now. The front wing on the other hand, is a bit too clean. I do like a more smaller front wing, like the cars in 2007 and 2008 had, as oppose to such a broad one. I do think that you will witness quite some front wings being damaged this year at the starts because of them being as wide as the wheels are.”

Do you expect more overtaking as a result of the new regulations for the aerodynamics?
“No. When I am trailing someone, I still have a lot of turbulence and when you look at the lap times, you see that we are still going tremendously fast again as we normally did. I think that the FIA and FOM never expected to us being able to get back up to speed again so fast. Engineers are very smart and are more than able to circumvent a problem and, like in this instance, find downforce again somewhere else.”

And the DRS-effect, now the gap in between has been increased?
“You can notice that. The wing is more sunken, causing the DRS-effect to be much bigger. But it still depends on the circuit how big that is. In Australia and Hungary it will be more difficult than in China, where you can race beautifully.”

Part two of this interview will go live coming Thursday!