Max: 'Because of Honda we learnt the limits of our parts'

Published on 02 August 2019 by Mike Motilall

It is often said that Max Verstappen has extra capacity with which he is able to monitor the bigger picture, while he is busy behind the wheel managing all the finer details that make a modern day, highly-technical, Formula 1-car. Speaking with Verstappen.nl, Max has the following to say about that: “I think that it is important to have extra capacity next to the focus that is needed to drive a car. That is always important, not only on a wet track but also on a dry one. If you need all your attention when driving, then I don’t think you will be very successful. You may be able to do one fast lap, but that’ll be it. It's an art you gradually master and one which is also partly innate.”

Looking at the statistics, Max is having an exceptional run. Last year in Hungary was his last DNF, this puts him on a string of twenty finishes in a row. What makes it even special is that they are all only top-five finishes. What is different to last year that has made Aston Martin Red Bull Racing now so reliable? Max explains: “We had more DNF's before. But that also happened because we were not able to really fully push our parts to the limits. Honda is spending a lot of time testing, which makes it possible for Red Bull to also get to know the limits of their own parts. That is the difference with last year. Then we had no clue whether our parts were strong enough or not. We only found that out when we dropped out.”

Max continues: “The whole preparation prior to this season has been much better. I think that is the reason that our car and power unit are now so reliable. Our relationship with Honda is completely open and we help each other getting better. We have complete faith in each other. We are winners and they are winners, and we want to win together. We are aiming for the highest achievable.”

The highest achievable means winning. Dr. Helmut Marko spoke of five victories prior to this season. What do you think, is that feasible? Max: “Since I have already won two races this year, that is getting very close I must say. I discussed it then with Helmut. I said to him back then: ‘That is pretty optimistic. Five wins in a year that we will be working with Honda for the first time. You need to get to know each other and every race you learn more together.’ Knowing that in the second part of the season we improve ourselves even more, I think that it is doable. Hopefully we can close the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari in qualifying. This gives you then a bigger chance to win the race. In the end, there are twenty-one races and of course I want to win them all, but we are working on that. I think that we get better every weekend.”

After the Hungarian Grand Prix, the Summer break awaits you. Do you need a break? “No, not particularly”, says Max. Aren’t you afraid of losing the momentum? “No, I have done so many races in my life, that a break like that doesn’t really make any difference. When I have driven the first lap on Spa-Francorchamps again, it’s full speed ahead once more.”

Hungarian GP contest: Win an orange RBR 33 T-shirt and Verstappen beach towel