Max from Imola: 'Challenging but fun circuit'

Published on 16 May 2024 by Misha van der Kroon

After a second place during the Miami Grand Prix, Max Verstappen is now preparing for the first race of the 2024 season on European soil. The circuit in Imola, where the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna will be held, is a classic track, something that Max is looking forward to. “There are a lot of combinations of turns that you have to get right. If you miss the first apex, you’ll mess up the second one. There’s a good rhythm to the track. The circuit is high speed and old school, so if you make a mistake, you’ll end up in the gravel. These kinds of things are always challenging, but it’s a fun track to drive on,” says the Dutch driver who won the last two editions of the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna in 2021 and 2022.

During the last race weekend in Miami, Max took home the most points of the field. By winning the sprint race and finishing second in Sunday’s race, Max extended his lead in the championship. Still, the weekend in Miami did not go as planned for the Dutchman. “Miami wasn’t the strongest weekend of the year, but it cannot always be perfect. The damage we had to the floor was also not ideal during the last stint. Overall it was a bit more difficult. I was really struggling with the balance and never felt at my best in the car. The McLarens had brought some upgrades and it worked out for them.”  

The team of Oracle Red Bull Racing has also brought upgrades to this weekend’s Grand Prix. However, Max is cautious: “It’s a step forward, but I don’t know how it will be compared to the others.” When asked what the updates are for, Max answers: “It’s to improve the entire car.”   

Contest GP Imola: win a by Max Verstappen signed Verstappen.com Racing cap!