Max about Sochi: “Normally fifth or sixth”

Published on 27 April 2017 by Mike Motilall

Max Verstappen shortly looks back at his DNF during the Bahrain Grand Prix after having arrived in Sochi in the Olympic Park. On lap thirteen, having had a very strong start of the race, he suddenly dropped due to a brake failure.

Have those problems been solved and will they not be an issue anymore in Russia? “In Bahrain the brakes always get hot. This time round they overheated just a little bit more and gave up. But here in Sochi it is not that hot and this track is not so heavy on the brakes”, says Max.

What do you think of the circuit? “It can be interesting when it is slippery. Especially the 90 degrees corners, you don’t see those often and so many in a row. It is important to maintain your speed through those corners.” Is this a track that suits the RB13? “The long straights won’t help us. Besides that, the corners are very short, so you cannot gain any time there. We certainly won’t as we also suffer from lack of grip.”

Where is the challenge in Sochi? “The last sector is pretty technical. Braking for turn twelve and thirteen makes it quite difficult. You need to get good track position to be able to take those corners.”

You are aware that you don’t have a winning car. Isn’t that frustrating? “It is what it is. But I didn’t have any expectations prior to the season, so it doesn’t help in getting frustrating. If the car is a bit disappointing, it is easier to get over that. We know where we stand by now: it is safe to say that we are the third team.”

And what does that mean for the Russian Grand Prix, what is achievable? “Firstly I just want to be in the points, so no dropping out. Normally that would be fifth or sixth.”

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