Max was upset about Sakhir but looks forward to Abu Dhabi: 'Alright for us'

Published on 07 December 2020 by Kees-Jan Koster

Max Verstappen flew Monday afternoon together with some colleagues from Bahrain to Abu Dhabi, for the final 2020 Grand Prix coming weekend. Through a FaceTime interview in the tv programme Peptalk, which is broadcasted every Monday evening at 19.50 on Ziggo Sport, the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver looks back on the race.

“I was upset because of my race”, says Max, who had to retire from the Sahkir Grand Prix after only a few corners, as a victim of the melee caused by Charles Leclerc. “In the first phase of the race I was careful and just tried to keep my position. When Bottas made a mistake, I ended up between both Mercedes. I did not want to take the risk and braked early. Eventually Leclerc came through on the inside, he braked late and went straight ahead. Then it was over.” After doing his interviews, Max returned to his hotel, where he watched the last twenty laps of the race. “It was quite dramatic”, notes Max with a sense of understatement.

One more race to go. Max: “I think everyone looks forward to a break. But you will not notice that from all the work that is still being done. Everyone is doing their very best to do well coming weekend.”

Whether Lewis Hamilton, who tested positive for corona virus, will drive in Abu Dhabi or if George Russell will drive the Mercedes again, is not yet clear. Max says about his chances: “The Abu Dhabi circuit is alright for us. We have to see how Bottas will perform this weekend.”