Max Verstappen, like his colleagues and the worldwide fan base, is eager to start the Formula 1 season on the Red Bull Ring. “My feeling is positive, especially if you rely on the winter test in Barcelona. But Mercedes is still the favorite, ”he says.
In an exclusive session with selected Dutch media, including FORMULA 1, Verstappen discusses numerous topics. Frankly and nuanced, he weighs his champion chances, tells about the surreal situation on the Red Bull Ring, the use of mouth masks and highlights the transfers of his former teammates Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz.
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The connoisseurs almost agree: the title battle in 2020 will be one that will go between Mercedes and Red Bull. Or rather: between Hamilton and Verstappen. The Dutchman is ready for a coup, he assures. “The feeling is positive, especially if you rely on the winter tests in Barcelona. But ”, he nuances,“ Mercedes is still the favorite. We will have to wait and see how everyone gets into their rhythm after such a break. ”
Who or what can possibly stop him if the RB16 is at least equivalent to Mercedes’ challenger? “Nothing at all”, thinks Verstappen. “We should at least be able to get the same material first, or better yet: better material. That makes things a bit easier, ”he says with a quip. “We will see. At the moment I have no idea where we are exactly, you can keep speculating about that. I think it is better that we start first, then I can give clearer answers from there. ”
Photo: Motorsport Images
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Verstappen was one of the few in his team who flew on his own. In Spielberg it is fairly isolated: Verstappen has its own motor home in the vicinity of the circuit. The PlayStation has gone to pass the time if necessary. “But you are always busy,” he knows from experience. “There are no fans and you have to wear a mask, but otherwise it doesn’t differ much from a normal race weekend in terms of work,” says Verstappen. “You just have to be extra careful and keep your distance, you can’t go high-fiving.”
In recent weeks, Formula 1 has also focused mainly on the debate that has erupted around racism. Hamilton turned out to be an activist and urged his colleagues to take a stand and also to speak out against racism. “I don’t think anyone agrees with racism,” he says strongly. “You don’t have to talk about that for long: you just don’t want racism. Everyone in this world is equal to me. ”
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Finally, Verstappen addressed whether he was surprised by the choices of McLaren and Ferrari, who have secured the services of Daniel Ricciardo (now Renault) and Carlos Sainz (now McLaren), two old ones, before 2021. teammates of his. “When I heard that Vettel’s contract was not renewed, I quickly knew what was going to happen. This is of course a wonderful opportunity for Carlos. If you get a top seat at Ferrari, that is very nice. I also hope that he will do good, make it as difficult as possible for Charles and that they will push each other. ” And what about Ricciardo? “I don’t know how strong McLaren will be next year, at least they are ambitious. And with Mercedes engines they will be more competitive. ”
