9:12 – In a week, the first Formula 1 race of the year will be held on the Red Bull Ring. Every year that circuit is overrun by the Dutch fans. This is different this year due to the corona measures. Not much changes for Red Bull F1 driver Max Verstappen. He wants to entertain the fans anyway.
Four months after the planned start of the season, the Formula 1 circus will kick off with the Austrian Grand Prix next week. It is part of a compact race calendar with initially eight races until mid-September. There has been a lot of speculation recently about how this will affect the mindset of drivers, who can’t make a difference in the pursuit of the world title. Verstappen, tipped as one of the contenders for the title before this season, expects at least that the so-called ‘ghost races’ will not cause other races.
“When I’m in the car and qualifying starts, I’m on edge. I don’t really need the fans for that,” said Verstappen in conversation with Speedweek, Germany. “But when I look at the stands now, I think it is a test day because there is no audience in the stands. It will be different, but when I am in the car I want to entertain the fans. Even if they are not on the stand, but have to follow the race on a screen. “
As mentioned, Verstappen won the past two editions of the Grand Prix of Austria. As a result, the Limburger is also among the tipped drivers for medals in the first two rounds of the new season. Father Jos Verstappen also expressed the expectation earlier that ‘we can participate in Austria for the victory’. Verstappen himself dampens expectations. “I never see myself as a favorite and certainly not on the Red Bull Ring, that track is not as good for us as other courses. Last year’s victory was hard fought. It doesn’t get any easier this time, I think Mercedes will be strong and nobody knows what Ferrari is really doing now. It will be a tough fight again, but we are doing everything we can to win for the third time in a row. “
Details become important
New this season is that there are several races on the same circuit. Two back-to-backs are driven in Austria and England. Asked whether that will help with any revenge, said Verstappen: “It depends on the first race, of course. That makes the second race easier, everyone knows the circuit and has driven many laps. It will probably be even more exciting, the details will become important. It can get really exciting when we try things that don’t go well in the first weekend. The second race will certainly be different, with the benefit of what we learned in the first race. “
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