June 27, 2020 – In a week, the Formula 1 season will start with a considerable delay with the Grand Prix of Austria. The Red Bull Ring has been in a good mood for Max Verstappen in recent years and father Jos expects that he can participate in the victory again in 2020.
On paper, the Red Bull Ring does not seem to be the optimal circuit for Red Bull Racing, which has been short on long straights over Mercedes and Ferrari in recent years. Nevertheless, Verstappen managed to win the Austrian GPs of 2018 and 2019, the latter of which came after a great catch-up race from eighth position. It remains to be seen whether success will be possible in 2020. In the Formula 1 Coffee Jos Verstappen, however, hinted that the feeling is good about the double meeting in Spielberg.
“The car felt good in Barcelona, Max said. We think we are in a good position, but we don’t know exactly where we are,” said Verstappen, who is hoping for a third consecutive victory from his son on the Red Bull Ring. “We think we can compete for the victory in Austria. That track is Max, although Mercedes will be quick there too. No one knows exactly how things are. It will be exciting.”
Max Verstappen, however, does not seem to see anything in a favorite role, he hinted in conversation with Speedweek. “I have never seen myself as a favorite, especially on the Red Bull Ring. That circuit is not as good with us as other circuits. I had to fight hard for last year’s victory. This time it will definitely not be easier, I expects Mercedes to be strong and no one can say exactly how good Ferrari will be. It will be a tough fight, but we will do everything we can to try to win for the third time in a row in Austria. “
‘Best preparation since 2013’
Nevertheless, there is a good feeling with the Verstappens and Red Bull Racing. The team is entering the second season with engine supplier Honda and the preparations went so well that team boss Christian Horner even speaks of the best run-up to the season since 2013, the last year that Sebastian Vettel became world champion with Red Bull. “Mercedes is still clearly the favorite. Lewis Hamilton had a strong winter and is the reigning world champion, so he has to be the favorite,” Horner told the Formula 1 Coffee. “But we have a good car, continuity, and Max drives better than I’ve ever seen him do. I really feel that this has been our best preparation in the V6 era and since 2013. Hopefully we can really fight Mercedes. “
Verstappen senior also slightly shifts the role of favorite to Mercedes, although he suspects that the difference is not large. “I find that very difficult [om te voorspellen]. Personally I think we are just behind Mercedes. If that is within two tenths, it will be a very exciting championship. If we are half a second behind it, we can forget it. If it’s as close as we expect it would be between Lewis Hamilton and Max. ”
