Max keen to race once circumstances allow it: 'I'm ready!'

Published on 05 May 2020 by Stefan Meens

From his apartment in Monaco, Max Verstappen joined Austrian broadcaster ServusTV for their sports talkshow Sport & Talk, to discuss his life during the current Covid19 crisis.

“Normally I love being at home, so it isn’t too bad”, explains Max. “However, I do love to race; it’s the thing I love most. Instead, I’m training a lot and I spend a lot of time on my simulator in my living room.”

Max has been a prolific sim-racing for some years, but can he be just as good online as he is on a real track? “I think I’m better in a real car. I enjoy racing on the limit so the only thing I can do at home is race on the sim. But hopefully we can start soon in the real world.”

Formula 1 is hoping to start racing at the start of July, in Austria. “I would love to have two races at the Red Bull Ring. I love driving there and we had some good results in the last two years”, referred Max to his back-to-back wins.”

It has almost become a tradition, but at almost all tracks, there are plenty of fans sporting orange in support of Max. Austria proved a particular popular destination for the Dutchman’s fans: “I saw them every lap. It’s really special to see so much orange. Of course it would be a shame to race in front of empty stands, but the most important things is to actually have enough races to form a championship, once the circumstances permit us.”

Should the championship be shortened, how will that affect Max’s chances? “Usually we are quicker in the second half of the season so hopefully we can make that leap at the start. The car felt good in winter testing in Barcelona. We’ll see how it goes once we’re back in the car, hopefully in Austria. Whatever the situation, I am fit and ready to race!”