Max: 'Not extracted the maximum yet'

Published on 11 May 2019 by Stefan Meens

After the first two practice sessions of the Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen chatted to Ziggo Sport’s ‘Formula 1 Café’. One of the topics discussed are the rumours that this year’s Spanish Grand Prix will be the last with the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona being dropped off the F1-calendar. “That would be a shame. It’s a nice circuit and a great city. It would be a shame to see it disappear”, said Max.

One of the contenders for the possible vacant slot on the calendar is Zandvoort, the circuit that hosted the last Dutch Grand Prix in 1985. It is also the track where Max will give several demonstrations nextSaturday and Sunday (18-19 May), at the fourth edition of the Jumbo Race Days. Max: “I’ll definitely be thinking about a possible return to Zandvoort, it would be great.”

But first, Max has to entertain the fans with his demonstrations. “The Jumbo Race Days are busy but it’s great to give something fun back to the fans. I’ll be driving one of the V8-powered cars. Those sound a lot better than the current V6 power-units.”

Reflecting on this weekend’s race, Max acknowledges that the team has made a step forward in the development of the RB15. A new front wing, bargeboards, floor and rear wing are among the updates brought to Spain. “Those are the visible changes. But there’s more. We’ve definitely made a step, but so have Ferrari and Mercedes. But I don’t think we’ve extracted the maximum out of it yet.”

Nevertheless, Barcelona is not a circuit that particularly suits the RB15. “Turn three and nine are flat-out nowadays. It means they’re essentially straights so we lose speed compared to the others. Silverstone is similar. A few years ago it wasn’t as bad but the more full throttle, the worse it is for us”, concludes Max.

Spanish GP contest: win the scale model of Max Verstappen RB14 Spain 2018