Max after Friday in Singapore: 'I felt good in the car'
Published on 21 September 2019 by Kees-Jan Koster
After the first two free practice sessions for the Singapore Grand Prix, Max Verstappen spoke to Olav Mol of the tv programme Formula 1 Café on Ziggo. Looking back on the first free practice sessions you can say that Lewis Hamilton and Max are the men to beat in Singapore. But Max does not completely agree. Max explains: “Maybe up to now, but tomorrow everyone will be closer again. Ferrari did not have any free laps, and I did not have either. If you look at the long runs, then everyone is a lot closer. I expect Ferrari to step up and Mercedes is very strong.”
Max continues: “Bottas was building up slowly after his incident, so he will likely be at it tomorrow too. In itself we had a good day.”
Asked about the bumps in the track, Max answers: “Yes, it is quite bumpy, we also drive with a different setup than last year, so I think that makes us bounce a bit more anyway. But you can see that turn three and five are a lot rougher this year.”
Asked if rhythm is important in Singapore, Max concludes: “That is always linked to the balance of the car and how the car feels. But straight from the first lap I felt good in the car, straight away the balance was good and I had good grip, that makes it a lot easier.”