Max on 2021 preparations: 'We'll do it our way'

Published on 22 October 2020 by Stefan Meens

Upcoming weekend sees the Portuguese Grand Prix return on the Formula 1 calendar for the first time since 1996. Unlike previous edition held at Estoril, the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve will host the event.

In the run up to the weekend, Mercedes confirmed they have turned all their attention to their 2021 car. In contrast, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing are still working on updates for this year’s RB16.

Max: “For us it’s actually really important to keep learning about our car; it will help us for next year, as we cannot change the car much. What Mercedes is doing is no doubt good for them, but we’re doing it our way. We’ll see where we are next year.”

After an encouraging weekend at the Nurburgring, where Max finished second, it is not a given that Portimao will result in a similar strong performance for Red Bull Racing with the circuit and weather providing different circumstances. “It was a cold weekend in Germany on a track where we hadn’t raced in a long time. So we’ll see how competitive we’ll be here in Portugal. The car felt good in Germany. The balance was good, which is obviously positive.”

Despite Portimão being a new track for Formula 1, Max has not altered his preparation. “Like always. I’ve been to the simulator in Milton Keynes. By coincidence, I drove at Portimão in January in a GT car. At the time, we didn’t know we would have a Grand Prix here, so that was a coincidence. The track won’t be as bumpy as back then as they resurfaced it. Maybe we have a bit less experience around here in real life, but for me it doesn’t really matter.

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