Max realistic about his chances in Bahrain: “Fifth or sixth”
Published on 13 April 2017 by Mike Motilall
Max Verstappen flew to Bahrain immediately after the Chinese Grand Prix. There, in the scorching sun, the press gathered to pose the youngster some questions. Max hasn’t looked back at the great catch-up race he drove in Shanghai, where he eventually finished on the podium, after having started from 16th. All eyes are now on the track in Sakhir.
“The race in China was pure enjoyment, but I had to quickly get to Bahrain. China is over now. It was a fine race, but it would have been nicer if I had won”, says Max, who is also realistic about his chances in Bahrain. “Normally, we at Red Bull Racing fight for fifth or sixth here. That will not be any different than like in e.g. Australia.”
“Behind of us the gap is comfortably big and ahead of us it will remain the same, if nothing crazy happens. And rain… I don’t expect any”, says Max with a wink. “So we need to make the best of it. This situation is not new for us, it is what it is, so it doesn’t bother me. We knew this since the pre-season testing in Barcelona. Of course you want to fight for the victory, but if that is not possible, you have to take things how they come and make the best of it. That’s what we are doing right now. If we knew how to close the gap to the top, we would have been at the front. It is not that easy.”
The optimism to be able to take big steps very soon, is definitely there. Max: “The cars and rules are very new, so I think that we are able to take bigger steps now compared to previous years. Back then we were not able to improve much on the cars. Not only the car, but the power unit as well needs to be developed further.”
Max gets along fine with his team mate Daniel Ricciardo, even after their battles on track. “We have mutual respect for another. Last year I complimented Daniel on his win in Malaysia and in China he congratulated me. It is quite obvious that we battle each other out on track. But there is absolutely no friction between us at all, we push one another forward and help the team advance in that way.”
