Max on the final race of the year: 'If the car is good, we'll win.'

Published on 10 December 2021 by Stefan Meens

Following Friday practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Ziggo Sport’s Olav Mol caught up with Max Verstappen to discuss the opening day at the Yas Marina Circuit.

The lay-out of the circuit is different this year. What are your thoughts? “Yes, it’s more fun and flows better. The grip is reasonable as well, so in general I think it’s a bit better.”

Has the third sector therefor become an important one? “Yes, but Mercedes is also good in the fast corners. But it’s always difficult, because it depends how the tyres work for you and how the car behaves. Every track is different. Sometimes you’re fast in the slow corners and other times you’re quicker in the fast stuff, so it’s always difficult to judge.”

The new track lay-out is already twelve seconds faster. What about the flow? “It’s definitely a better flow. Previously, I didn’t really like turn five, six, seven and the entry into the third sector.”

You had some issues with the steering in FP1, has it been straightened out? “Yeah, it was pulling pretty heavily to one side. I kept driving with it, but it looked like I was driving on an oval”, smiles Max.

Would you be able to carry more speed onto the main straight if there was not a track limit in the last corner? “You could carry a bit more speed, but I was happy with the old situation. You would drive against the kerb which has astro turf behind it. But in terms of circuit maintenance this is better, so we have stay with two tyres on the white lines.”

The short runs were not great yet, but the long runs looked competitive. “Yes, but I think Mercedes were already using some extra power in the short runs, so maybe that muddles the picture a bit. Also, my lap, in terms of balance, wasn’t good. When I braked into the last corner, I suddenly had a lot of understeer, so I completely missed the apex. So from our side we need to improve, even though I think they used some extra power.

Does this feel like a different Grand Prix weekend than normal? “No, I’m actually really calm, because I know that if the car is good enough, we’ll win. If the car isn’t, then it will be difficult. So really, it’s pretty simple.”

When you get out of the car Sunday, having given it your all, but it was not enough, could you be at peace with that situation? “I’m only 24 and I don’t think I’ll suddenly fade away, so I’m sure it will turn out fine.”

Contest GP Abu Dhabi: win a by Max Verstappen signed 1:2 helmet 2021!