Max previews Sakhir GP: 'Will be difficult to get a clear lap in qualifying'
Published on 02 December 2020 by Niels Hendrix
Looking back at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen finished second, the Dutchman says about the double podium for Aston Martin Red Bull Racing: “It’s been a while since we had a double podium and it was great for everyone in the Red Bull team. I was pretty surprised how long it’s been and also that it didn’t happen in 2018 as we had a decent package.”
Max continues: “That’s what you want as a team and of course at the moment we’re a bit slower than Mercedes but when they make a mistake we need to be there to capitalize and that’s what we did, we both maximized everything we could. Also on my side it was nice to be back on the podium after the last two races didn’t go as planned and now it’s just about trying to finish the season with the best results we can.”
This weekend you are racing on a different and shortened track layout. Are you expecting a chaotic race? Max: “With such a short track it will be difficult to get a clear lap in qualifying, especially with it being about a 54 second lap. I think everyone on track is going to be within 150 meters! I think blue flags and back markers will be interesting but lap times should be a bit closer so I don’t expect the gaps to be as big.”
What did you mean by your post-race comments about Romain's accident? Max explains: “I think people misunderstood what I meant. What I was trying to say is that as drivers we know the risks when we get in the car and if anyone has doubts they should consider stopping racing. There is nothing wrong with that if you feel uncomfortable to race but we are part of a team and they rely on us to do our job which is drive the car. Had Romain not walked away obviously things would have been very different on Sunday.”
“I think back in the 60s and 70s it was way more dangerous and the drivers of that era were still going out on track because they knew it was their job and that’s what they loved to do, even though they knew the risk was very high of losing their friends around them. The safety in place now is incredible and I respect everyone's own decisions but that is how I feel. Nobody ever wants to see an accident like that but all that really matters is that Romain is ok.”
