Max looking forward to qualifying: 'Confident in a good outcome'
Published on 03 July 2020 by Stefan Meens
Max Verstappen joined Ziggo Sport’s Formule 1 Café via Zoom, to reflect on his first day back in the RB16. Despite the start of the 2020 Formula 1 season being postponed due to the Covid19 pandemic, Max was not nervous getting back in the car: “I was looking forward to it. I’m always relaxed. I think my dad will find it more exciting than me. Only after a few laps in the car do I get really enthusiastic”
Instead of racing in Australia, Formula 1 cancelled or postponed all events until the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend. It meant the last few months were different for everyone involved in the sport. Max: “Some people were happy to spend some more time with the family. You travel so much for years, so it’s nice to be home. It will have had pros and cons for everyone.”
The upcoming Grands Prix are held without fans at the track and strict safety precautions to minimise the risk of Covid19 spreading. Max explains: “We have to wear masks all the time, but that doesn’t bother me. There are specific ways to walk in and out of the buildings. Once you are used to them, it’s fine. Most importantly, we keep a distance.”
Max finished the opening practice round in third, followed by P8 in the second Friday session, completing a total of 78 laps of the Red Bull Ring. “Apart from a spin, things went well, but we didn’t get a representative laptime. At the exit of turn six, I hit the yellow kerb, damaging my front wing. This resulted in a lot of understeer in the last three corners. That’s not a problem though. I was happy with the previous run, on the mediums.”
Nevertheless, there is still work to be done. “If you look at our top speed, we’re not among the fastest. So we’ll have to adjust some things but I’m confident that we can go for a good outcome on Saturday.”
“Our Friday went well. Maybe some outsiders are worried about our pace, but I’m not. The laptimes don’t tell you everything, because we didn’t have the most straightforward session. So I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
As usual, Max is not one for predictions, despite winning the Austrian Grand Prix the last two years. Key to last year’s victory was Red Bull Racing's ability to cope with the heat. “Sunday should be another warm one, about 28 degrees. That’s only three degrees less than last year, so that’s not too bad for us. We’ll see.”
