Verstappen.nl interviews Max: 'Done everything to make a good impression'

Published on 28 February 2020 by Kees-Jan Koster

Today was the last test day before the season opener in Australia. Before Max started his last test day, Verstappen.nl spoke with Max Verstappen on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya about last winter, the associated preparations and his expectations for the coming season. In part 2, which will be released on Sunday, we will discuss the rule changes for 2021 and look back on Max’ career.

Before the test week is over and the focus changes to Australia, you will get into the car one more time. How do you look back on the last couple of days?
“It went okay. We were able to do our test programme and from our side it feels good. I do not know if it will be enough, but I hope we were able to collect as much data as possible, so if there is something with the balance of the car, we can fix it straight away.”

Do you also feel the team’s preparations has been better than ever before? And did it help that the rules for this year stayed stable?
“I think so, but of course we will have to show that in our speed. At the moment we do not know that yet. Normally stability will help us, but I think all the other teams keep developing their cars too, so we will have to see.”

This is the second year with Honda. How was the mutual cooperation, in comparison with last year?
“Of course, after a year of experience everything will go more smoothly. We have learned a couple of things last year, like the installation of the power unit and things like that. I think it is quite normal that things are getting easier.”

What was it like to drive the car half of the day, in comparison with driving it a whole day last year?
“I liked it. It really is too much if you are driving 160 or 170 laps a day, you can see that. I think that doing one hundred laps a day is quite okay. So, it works well to split the days between the drivers, so the car can still do more than 150 laps.”

What is involved in changing drivers during a test day?
“Most of the changes are with the pedals and the seat. Also the setup is changed a bit, as each driver has their own style. There are some differences in driving between me and Alex. The mechanics have their schedule and know exactly what to change.”

What exactly are those differences?
“It depends. Sometimes it is an adjustment at the front, another time it is something at the back. Or it could be some more understeer, another time a bit more oversteer. It also depends on the circuit of course.”

You have a new trainer this year. Did you give Jake, your previous trainer, a nice farewell gift?
“I gave him a champagne bottle from the podium in Abu Dhabi of last year, where I finished second. It was our last race together, so to end on the podium was super. Those are nice things. I still have the bottle of my first victory.”

Of course, every trainer is different. Is this year’s approach different than previously with Jake?
“Some of the exercises are a bit different now, but overall you will have to train the same things, so you will not be able to change too much. I have learned over the years what works well and what not. It is a bit easier to change things with a new trainer than someone you have worked with for years.”

How much can you influence your training schedule?
“If I could change everything I do not like, then there would not be much left, haha! Sometimes you must suffer a bit, that is part of it.”

Was it hard to get back into the car after the winter stop? Especially when you did 168 laps on the first test day?
“Those are long days when you do so many laps, but it is better than waiting in the garage because there are some issues. Once you are in the car, you just do your laps.”

Is a Formula 1 race harder than for example a go-karting race, as you did in the past?
“It depends on the circuit. Singapore is one of the harder Grand Prix, but a go-karting race can be quite demanding. It depends on what you are used to. You must train different muscles in a car than in a go-kart. In a go-kart your neck is less affected, but you will feel your arms and ribs a lot more.”

Finally, with what kind of feeling are you going to Australia?
“A relaxed and positive feeling. I hope we will be fast enough. We have done everything to make a good impression, hopefully it is enough.”