F1 Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen is not pushing to make it a big show on track but he’s more wanting to secure the best result possible.
Verstappen has been a breath of fresh air in F1, ever since Red Bull decided to fast-track the Dutchman’s movement in the championship, where first he got the Toro Rosso seat fairly soon and then graduated to Red Bull.
He hasn’t disappointed anyone as such as well. His progress has been immense as he currently sits with 21 consecutive races, where he has finished inside the Top 5, which includes three wins and 12 podiums.
While many question his antics on track, including his rivals, but his talent oozes out incredibly. There are clumsy moments but it makes well for the entertainment, something which he says he is not consciously looking for.
His main goal to secure the best result possible – naturally – and in doing so if there are fights which fans love, it bodes well then. “I’m not there to try and make a big show out of it, I’m just trying to get the best result.
“When we’ve qualified P4 or P5 you have to overtake people in the race, and that automatically creates action, I like fighting on the track and fighting hard for a victory.
“It has been boring, but lately we’ve had some good ones, which is better for the fans. I take the fight to the other drivers and I think fans like that,” Verstappen summed up in his mid-season review for Red Bull.
He is well placed in the drivers’ standings for 2019 F1 season in third with 188 points in all, just seven from Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and 69 from Lewis Hamilton. Crucially, he is ahead of both the Ferrari drivers.
“It’s pretty good [first half], but it could always be better,,” he said. “I think in most of the races we have maximised the results and I felt happy in the car, of course we want to win more races.
“We had a bit more of a difficult start than I think we would’ve liked, car wise, but to then score two victories has been good. We’ve improved the car and Honda improved their engine.
“I was especially happy for Honda to win that race, any win is great, but for them it was emotional and I was happy that it was at our home track in Austria. My first pole position will always be a special one.
“A qualifying lap on low fuel is so enjoyable. You can really feel the grip of the car with the full downforce. It was another great day for everyone within the team, but that team also includes Honda.”
With nine races to go in the 2019 F1 season, Verstappen is patiently waiting for the post summer break run, especially after how it went for him in 2018, when he had one win and seven podiums in nine races.
He will have a new teammate though with Red Bull deciding to promote Alexander Albon from Toro Rosso to Red Bull, with Pierre Gasly going back to the junior team alongside Daniil Kvyat.
