Max realistic about Sochi grid penalty: 'You can overtake here'
Published on 26 September 2019 by Stefan Meens
The main topic discussed at the Energy station in the Sochi circuit paddock is the quadruple engine swap at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and its sister team Scuderia Toro Rosso. The switch to the spec 4 internal combustion engine means Max Verstappen will serve a five-place grid penalty ahead of Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix.
“Including this new engine, I should be safe for the rest of the season. We basically thought, why not? It won’t hurt us too much, that five-place penalty because you can overtake around here. You saw that last year when I started at the back”, explains Max. “Normally I wouldn’t win here so you have to be realistic. The penalty won’t hurt us too much so we decided to just go for it.”
In a fortnight, the Formula 1 circus heads to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix, Honda’s home race. “For Honda, it’s a very important event. In my time in F1, we haven’t won there but we’ll do everything in our power to be strong. We always try to win, and it would be amazing for Honda if we could get a good result at their home circuit. I want to do well at every track, but it would be amazing if it all worked out in Suzuka.”
