Max after Friday practice in Mexico: 'There is less grip, but it all evens out'

Published on 06 November 2021 by Stefan Meens

Following Friday practice at the Mexican Grand Prix, Ziggo Sport’s Olav Mol caught up with Max Verstappen to discuss the opening day at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

How was your day? Max: “Good, during FP1, the track was still pretty dirty, but in general the feeling in the car was good. We tried some things during the session, and later in FP2, and we kept improving. It was a good day.”

Like you said, the track was very dusty. “Yes, I don’t think anyone cleaned the track”.

You opened the day with a 14-lap stint on the hard compound. What was the thinking behind that? “That was purely because the tyres don’t wear as much, so we can try some things.”

Honda said that your power-unit has a different set-up for this weekend. Do you notice anything? “It’s for the altitude, every engine needs some adjustments for that.”

Talking of altitude, do you notice the effect on your body? “If I walk the stairs, yes, but not in the car. That’s purely because there is less grip; so it all evens out.”

Finally, how about the medium Pirelli? An option for Q2? “That compound did not look bad, and we were quite a bit quicker on it than some of the other teams behind us, so hopefully it’s like that on Saturday.”

Win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing Driver Cap 2021!