Max Verstappen says that he is looking back to the 2016 Austrian Grand Prix as inspiration for this weekend's event. The Dutchman finished second around the 2.6-mile track, taking Red Bull's first podium at its home race. Despite being aided by the collision between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, it was Verstappen's first podium since his win in Spain.
"I had a really good result in Austria last year coming second," he said. "Before the race, it was a bit unknown how the tyres would play out so I just tried to feel my way in and keep life in them. This allowed me to complete a one-stop strategy, which was always going to be a gamble, but in the end worked out really well."
Much like the recent tracks in Azerbaijan and Canada, Speilberg is a power sensitive track with only 10 corners, of which only one contains a heavy braking zone. Renault, who supply Red Bull with engines introduced an upgrade in Baku which reportedly gave them an extra two-tenths of a second.
The upgrade may make Red Bull a little more competitive around the circuit and the team will be coming in high spirits after winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the first victory for Red Bull since Malaysia 2016. Verstappen is hoping to turn his season around this weekend, with four retirements coming in the last six races.
"This year we have to make sure the car is working well in the corners in order to be up with the front-runners and then just try and be as competitive as possible on the straights, it’s always a bit of a compromise.
"The fans at the Red Bull Ring are always extremely passionate and of course there was a big Dutch turn out last year which is always special for me to see, plenty of caravans and orange around the area. I already tried my hand at caravanning at the track earlier this year, that was such good fun to be able to tow a caravan in an Aston Martin, and drift it."
Fergal Walsh
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Replies (2)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
With his luck, he wont even make the start
Jutlandia
Posts: 191
You're being naughty now :-)